Zach Houde drafted by Montreal in CFL Canadian Draft

X-Men Football receiver Zachary Houde was drafted 73rd overall in the CFL Canadian Draft on April 28th by the Montreal Alouettes. The 6'2", 200-pound receiver was selected in the eighth round, one of two AUS players to be drafted. Houde spent the past four seasons with the X-Men, playing in 25 games while amassing 114 career receptions for 2023 yards. Depsite battling injuries in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Zach leaves the X-Men averaging 81.4 yards/game and 4.6 receptions/game and scored nine career touchdowns, including a pair in 2025.

This past season, Zach was second overall in AUS receiving, averaging 65.4 yards/game in seven games played. He had 30 receptions for 458 total yards, averaging 4.3 yards per catch. His 65.4 yards/game were also second overall in AUS all-purpose yards and he garnered 2025 AUS all-star status in is fourth season of eligibility. Houde was also named an AUS offensive all-star in 2022 and 2023.

Former X-Men linebacker Josh Connors from Scarborough, ON was also drafted on Tuesday. He was selected 66th overall in the eighth round by the Ottawa Redblacks. Connors spent four years at STFX (2021-2025), competing for three seasons. He played in 21 games, racking up 86.5 career tackles and was named a 2023 AUS defensive all-star. Injured in his final year at X in 2024, Connors played for Wilfrid Laurier in 2025.

The complete CFL Canadain draft release from U SPORTS follows.

Former J.P. Metras winner Vaccaro goes first overall in 2026 CFL Canadian Draft

Giordano Vaccaro, a two-time all-Canadian and the 2024 winner of the J.P. Metras Trophy as the country's outstanding lineman, was taken first overall by the Ottawa Redblacks in the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft. The league held its annual selection on Tuesday night, with 74 players selected overall. Vaccaro, who played three years at Manitoba before transferring to Purdue University of Indiana, is the first former Bison to go first overall.

His selection was immediately followed Toronto selecting Queen's offensive lineman Niklas Hemming, who was a 2025 All-Canadian.

In total, 45 U SPORTS standouts were selected on Tuesday, making U SPORTS the largest source of Canadian talent (NCAA FBS 25, FCS 4, Division II 1) for the CFL.

The draft saw players from 18 of the 27 U SPORTS programs selected, with Calgary and Windsor both leading the way with six selections each. The OUA was the leading conference, with 22 players chosen, followed by Canada West with 16, the RSEQ with five and there were two picks from AUS.

Offensive linemen led the U SPORTS charge with 11 selections, while receivers were close behind with 10 (including McGill quarterback Éloa Latendresse-Régimbald of McGill, who was drafted as both a receiver and quarterback).

Toronto led the CFL with nine of their 11 selections coming from U SPORTS. They were followed by Edmonton, who used seven of their nine choices in U SPORTS.

The 2026 CFL season begins on June 4, 2026. The 2026 U SPORTS regular season will kick off on August 29.

U SPORTS IN THE CFL DRAFT – BY THE NUMBERS: 

By Conference:

• OUA: 22
• Canada West: 16
• RSEQ: 5
• AUS: 2

By School:

• 6: Calgary, Windsor
• 5: Laurier
• 3: UBC, McMaster, Montréal, Queen's
• 2: Alberta, Guelph, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, York
• 1: Laval, McGill, Ottawa, Regina, Saint Mary's, STFX

By Position:

• Offensive line: 11
• Receivers (including WR/QB): 10
• Linebackers: 7
• Defensive backs: 6
• Kickers: 3
• Running backs: 3
• Fullbacks: 3
• Defensive linemen: 2

Offensive: 27, Defensive: 15, Special Teams: 3

List of 2026 Selections