Photo: Miami Athletics

The five finalists have been unveiled for this year’s Jon Cornish Trophy, which is presented annually to the best Canadian player in NCAA football.

Boise State defensive back Ty Benefield, Rutgers defensive back Jett Elad, Wake Forest defensive lineman Nuer Gatkuoth, Miami defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor, and Rutgers running back Antwan Raymond are among those who could bring the award home.

Benefield, a junior from Vancouver, B.C., has recorded 98 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. He was named first-team All-Mountain West and the Defensive MVP of the Conference Championship Game.

Elad, a senior from Mississauga, Ont., tallied 80 total tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one blocked punt. The six-foot, 202-pound defender was named an All-Big Ten honourable mention by the conference’s coaches.

Gatkuoth, a junior from Edmonton, Alta., made 19 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception. The six-foot-three, 240-pound defender transferred to the Demon Deacons this year from Colorado State.

Mesidor, a sixth-year senior from Ottawa, Ont., made 46 total tackles, seven sacks, and four forced fumbles with the Hurricanes this year. The six-foot-three, 265-pound defender was named first-team All-ACC.

Raymond, a sophomore from Montréal, Que., rushed for 1,241 yards, caught 18 passes for 225 yards, and scored 15 total touchdowns in 2025. He was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, which is presented annually to the top running back in the NCAA.

The most recent winner of the Jon Cornish Trophy is Kurtis Rourke, who had an outstanding season at Indiana University in 2024. The native of Oakville, Ont. and younger brother of B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke is currently under contract with the San Francisco 49ers, having been selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Other previous winners include Elic Ayomanor, who is now a receiver with the Tennessee Titans, Chase Brown, who is currently the starting running back of the Cincinnati Bengals, John Metchie III, who is now a receiver for the New York Jets, Chuba Hubbard, who is the starting running back for the Carolina Panthers, and current CFL star Nathan Rourke.

The winner of the award will be unveiled on December 17, broadcast on Gridiron Nation online and on Game+ TV in Canada.