By The Canadian Press
Jan 22, 2026 | 4:42 PM
TORONTO — Defensive lineman Wilfried Pene will now try his hand at playing professional football in Canada.
A CFL spokesman confirmed Thursday that the former New England Patriot is on the league’s 2026 Global list, making him eligible for this year’s draft.
The six-foot-three, 283-pound Pene — whose full name is pronounced will-uh-fred PEN’-aye — could also work out at the CFL’s national combine in Edmonton from March 27-29 if his international paperwork is in order.
Pene, 25, of Tours, France, played collegiately at Virginia Tech, both as a tight end and defensive lineman. He appeared in 34 games for the Hokies, registering 73 total tackles (nine for loss) with five sacks.