Jon Cornish Award Watchlist: Who are the Best Canadians in College Football?
- Liam Donnan
- Jul 25
- 6 min read
Created in 2017, the Jon Cornish trophy has been given out annually to the most oustanding Canadian college football player. It is an excellent way to showcase the talent we have north of the border, and past winners have shown their abilities have translated to the NFL.
The 2024 winner, Kurtis Rourke, felt like an obvious winner going into the season. He was one of the premier quarterbacks at the group of five level, and stepped into the Big Ten on a much improved Indiana team. This season, it feels like the winner could be a number of choices, and there is a good chance the winner will be on the offensive or defensive line for the first time ever.
Let's look at previous winners before going through this year's (unofficial) watchlist.
2017: QB Nathan Rourke - Ohio (Oakville, Ontario)
2018: QB Nathan Rourke - Ohio (Oakville, Ontario)
2019: RB Chuba Hubbard - Oklahoma State (Sherwood Park, Alberta)
2020: WR John Metchie III - Alabama (Brampton, Ontario)
2021: WR John Metchie III - Alabama (Brampton, Ontario)
2022: RB Chase Brown - Illinois (London, Ontario)
2023: WR Elic Ayomanor - Stanford (Lethbridge, Alberta)
2024: QB Kurtis Rourke - Indiana (Oakville, Ontario)
Without a clear cut starting Canadian QB, there are plenty of options for 2025.
DE - Akheem Mesidor - Miami (Ottawa, Ontario)
Mesidor is extremely experienced, going into his sixth season of college football. Miami is his second stop in his college football career, as he spent 2020 and 2021 at West Virginia.
He has tallied 23 sacks and 36 tackles for loss in his career, and has earned all-conference honors in three of his five seasons across the Big 12 and ACC, solidifying himself as one of the best, most experienced pass rushers in the FBS. He was tied for first in sacks on the 'Canes last season, and with former teammates DE Tyler Baron and DE Simeon Barrow off to the NFL, his sack total could skyrocket from 5.5, closer to, or into double-digits.
Mesidor spent his high school prep days at Clearwater Academy International in Florida.
RB - Antwan Raymond - Rutgers (Montreal, Quebec)
Raymond has some very big shoes to fill going into his sophomore season. He is following the act of all-Big Ten running back Kyle Monangai, who went to the Bears in the seventh round of the NFL draft. From his backup role last season, he looks more than ready to take on that task.
He rushed for a more than respectable 457 yards and 8 TD in 2024, especially considering the fact the tailback was just a true freshman. Raymond put up those numbers on nearly five yards per carry, demonstrating solid efficiency working behind an elite back.
Rutgers brought in an experienced transfer back from FAU, CJ Campbell. Raymond is expected to again be a handcuff back in 2025, but could really pop, even in that role, let alone if he starts to get "starter" touches. Obviously, being a backup hurts his chances, but he has the talent to be a winner in the near-future.
Raymond attended high school at Clearwater Academy International in Florida.
LB - Dariel Djabome - Rutgers (Longueuil, Quebec)
The second of multiple Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Djabome stepped into a starting role in 2024 and never looked back. As a junior, he had 105 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Djabome was a third team all-Big Ten selection last season, and was one of the five finalists for the Cornish.
Off-ball linebackers such as Dariel Djabome are expected to take on leadership roles within the team and on the field. Djabome has done more than enough to prove himself on the field, and it is safe to assume that he will be counted on as the vocal, senior leader of the Rutgers defense.
Djabome was apart of the Canada Prep Academy in high school.
OT - Albert Reese - Mississippi State (Edmonton, Alberta)
Albert Reese may be the least likely winner on this list due to his position, but he has an argument to be the best player on the list overall. Multi-year starting offensive tackles in the SEC are not easy to find, and Reese is just that.
He was awarded the Kent Hull Trophy in 2024, given to the best offensive lineman in the state of Mississippi each season. The 6'7", 330 pound offensive lineman played at every offensive line position except for center last year, and has put up some very impressive PFF grades in big spots, such as his 78.4 pass blocking grade against LSU in 2023, where he also did not allow a pressure.
Reese was named to Athlon Sports' all-SEC team in the pre-season. He is truly elite, and will have his hands full on the gauntlet of pass rushers that the SEC schedule always brings.
Like others on the list, Reese attended Clearwater Academy International in Florida, by way of Harry Ainlay High School in Edmonton, Alberta.
TE - Rohan Jones - Arkansas (Montreal, Quebec)
A self-described "offensive weapon," Rohan Jones is a very unique, versatile player who shined at the FCS level for Maine and Montana State. In 2024, Jones was first-team all Big Sky Conference for Montana State, putting together a 30 catch, 470 yard, 9 touchdown season.
This is a "if he is used right" situation, as Jones can line up in the backfield, out of the slot, or as a true inline tight end. He has a lot of potential, and a lot to prove going into his senior season.
The Razorbacks had a top thirty passing offense in the nation in 2024, and if they want to maintain that efficiency, Jones should have a prominent role.
Jones previously played in the RSEQ for College Andre-Grasse.
WR - Nick Cenacle - Hawaii (Montreal, Canada)
Nick Cenacle was an honorable mention for the Cornish award in 2024 for good reason. He stepped up in a big way alongside fellow star receiver Pofele Ashlock, leading Hawaii in receptions and receiving yards.
Though he will again be splitting touches with Ashlock, there are some reasons to be very high on him to win the award in 2025. Hawaii, led by head coach Timmy Chang, runs a true air raid system. Timmy Chang is one of the most legendary figures in Hawaii football history (the state -- not just the university), playing for the Rainbow Warriors from 2000-2004, shattering NCAA passing records. He has brought that pass-heavy attack back to Hawaii, meaning the receivers will put up big numbers, potentially led by Cenacle.
A receiver has won the Cornish three times, with Alabama's John Metchie winning in 2020 and 2021, and most recently with Stanford's Elic Ayomanor in 2023. In Hawaii's air raid offense, Cenacle could be next in line.
Nick Cenacle played for Vanier College in the RSEQ prior to enrolling at Hawaii.
EDGE - Nuer Gatkouth - Wake Forest (Edmonton, Alberta)
Nuer Gatkouth spent his first two seasons of college football at Colorado State, and transferred to Wake Forest following the 2024 season. He was injured last year, but put together a phenomenal redshirt freshman season in 2023. He was named a freshman all-American that season, tallying 53 tackles, 7 TFL, with a pick and a forced fumble.
He has all the physical traits to be very successful, and can really stand out on a rebuilding Wake Forest team. If Gatkouth can continue to build on his upward trajectory that started at Colorado State, he can turn into a dominant pass rusher.
Gatkouth played for Champion Prep Academy (Atlanta), West Toronto Prep, and THE Austin O'Brien Crusaders (Edmonton, Alberta) (ROLL CRU), prior to playing for CSU and Wake Forest.
SAF - Jett Elad - Rutgers (Mississauga, Ontario)
A finalist for the Cornish the last two seasons, Elad is primed for yet another nomination, at the least. He is now on his third stop of his college football career, joining several fellow Canadians at Rutgers. At UNLV, Elad put together 141 tackles, 8 TFL, and 12 PBU in two seasons.
The Big Ten has numerous elite safeties, the three best in the nation in fact, and Elad has a chance to play spoiler and steal an all-Big Ten nod away from one of them.
Prior to playing at UNLV and Rutgers, Jett Elad played for Saint Ignatius High School (Ohio), Ohio University, and Garden City Community College.
SAF - Ty Benefield - Boise State (Vancouver, BC)
Benefield was a finalist for the Cornish trophy in 2024, shining in the national spotlight for a Boise State team that finished with a 12-2 record and a playoff berth. He had over 80 total tackles and a pair of picks for the Broncos, a force on the back end of a dominant defense.
Boise State is looking to recapture their success from 2024, and though it may look different stylstically on offense, head coach Spencer Danielson can sleep well knowing he has a force playing safety for him.
Benefield moved to California for high school, but originally hails from Vancouver, British Columbia.
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It is an interesting season for the Cornish Trophy. In 2024, it felt like Kurtis Rourke or Elic Ayomanor were shoe-ins for the honor, and Rourke eventually took it home, as his brother, Nathan, did in 2017 and 2018. Without a prominent starting quarterback, it is absolutely up for the taking, as many offensive skill position players are set for big statistical seasons. Though the Cornish has only ever gone to a QB, RB, or WR, this year would be a great time to see someone on the defensive side of the ball or in the trenches win.
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