With a chance to advance as potential CFL draft prospects, Pierini, Franzisi and La Roue fell short.
On Friday, three Mustangs joined 88 athletes at the University of Waterloo’s indoor football grounds — Columbia Icefield — to compete in the CFL Invitational Combine for a chance to advance to the National CFL Combine in Edmonton.
Eight athletes advanced to the national combine this year. In comparison, the 2025 invitational saw 11 players advance to the National CFL Combine, with five selected in the 2025 CFL Draft.
Mustangs 2025 graduate receiver Sam La Roue, defensive lineman Conner Franzisi, and fullback Sandro Pierini talk with each other and a fellow combine attendee during the CFL Invitational Combine in Waterloo, March 6, 2026.
Fourth-year fullback Sandro Pierini
Pierini showed where the strength behind his blocks comes from with 21 reps on the bench press, the most of any fullback or tight end.
Mustangs Fullback Sandro Pierini jogging back after a 1-on-1 drill at the CFL Invitational Combine, Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House, March 6, 2026.
Pierini explained that he set his expectations high, aiming for 25 reps on the bench press and a sub-five-second 40-yard dash.
“[I] didn’t quite get it, but those are still numbers I’m proud of, that I can stand behind and say those are the best I could do.”
Pierini recorded a 28-inch vertical and a 9′ 2 1/8″ broad jump, both of which were the best among Mustangs this year.
When the combine was completed, Pierini’s number was called, but it was only to complete randomized drug testing administered by the CFL.
Pierini will have the opportunity to continue to improve his scores next year, when he returns to complete his final year in an Ivey Business School and law dual degree program.
Fourth-year defensive lineman Conner Franzisi
Mustangs Defensive Line Conner Franzisi running the 40-Yard Dash at the CFL Invitational Combine, Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House, March 6, 2026.
As a former member of the Alabama A&M Bulldogs NCAA Division I Football team, Franzisi brought the bark and the bite for Western University this season with a team-high 4.5 sacks and five tackles for loss.
He measured in at 239 lbs, the second-lightest among defensive linemen, yet still completed an impressive 19 reps on the bench press.
With this lighter build, Franzisi recorded a 4.66-second shuttle, the fastest of all Mustangs.
Mustangs defensive lineman Conner Franzisi during the 40-yard dash drill at the CFL Invitational Combine in Waterloo, March 6, 2026.
“It’s hard to stick out in a group that good, and I feel like I did my part to show that I could compete with anybody in this country,” said Franzisi about his performance.
Franzisi will continue to train with the team and remains hopeful for a draft spot or free agent invite in May.
2025 graduate receiver Sam La Roue
Mustangs 2025 graduate receiver Sam La Roue jumps forward during the broad jump drill at the CFL Invitational Combine in Waterloo, March 6, 2026.
Have you ever seen a lacrosse defenseman sharpen into an offensive weapon?
Meet the mystery man of this year’s combine, La Roue — a former Mustangs bench receiver who now is a National Lacrosse League defenseman for the Halifax Thunderbirds.
At 6′ 3 3/4″, he measured as not just the tallest Mustang at the combine, but the tallest wide receiver.
“I think ultimately this was just another chance to put the pads on,” said La Roue. “A couple of weeks ago, lacrosse was the only sport I was focusing on. We’ll probably go back to that, unless something comes up.”
Although La Roue was the fastest Mustang with a 5.1 40-yard dash, he ranked as the slowest receiver at the drill as well as the slowest receiver in the three-cone drill.
Wide Receiver Sam La Roue running the 3-Cone Drill at the CFL Invitational Combine, Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House, March 6, 2026.
For reference, the 2025 invitational combine saw two Mustangs crack a sub-five-second 40-yard dash — running back Edouard Wanadi, who ran it in 4.93 seconds and receiver Seth Robertson, who ran it in 4.74.
The National CFL Combine will take place in Edmonton from March 27 to 29.
While no competitors from the Mustangs were invited forward into the combine, Western will be represented by fifth-year backup quarterback Jérôme Rancourt and fifth-year offensive lineman Keegan O’Neil, both among the CFL’s top prospects.