McMaster football program sends five athletes to the upcoming CFL invitational combine hosted in Waterloo 

Every young athlete dreams of getting drafted by a professional team to make a legacy for themselves. For the five McMaster football stars invited to the Canadian Football League combine, their dreams are beginning to take shape. Anthony Sestanovic, Everett Reid and late addition Aaron Lavers are bound for the CFL invitational combine, as Ethan Stuart and Frank Vreugdenhil prepare to compete on the CFL’s national combine stage. 
 
For fourth-year commerce student Anthony Sestanovic, this long journey has been the result of years of tremendous effort and the path to CFL honours is only getting started. Having started his football career in high school, Sestanovic has since honed his craft over his four year tenure in the McMaster football program. He claims the McMaster football program shaped who he is from day one, as he describes his early years at McMaster as a lesson in survival. 
 
“You swim or you drown … training camp is seven in the morning to seven at night. It’s all football, and the learning curve is steep,” said Sestanovic. 

You swim or you drown … training camp is seven in the morning to seven at night. It’s all football, and the learning curve is steep.

Anthony Sestanovic
McMaster Men’s Football

As a first-year athlete Sestanovic started in special teams slowly building up to his starting opportunity at linebacker in his second year. As he grew into the role, so did his leadership and football IQ as his reliability and durability became some of his defining traits. Since stepping onto the field for McMaster, Sestanovic has played in all 34 games for which he was eligible. 
 
Before the combine, Sestanovic and several teammates had the opportunity in their third year of eligibility to participate in the East-West Bowl, an all-star showcase for draft eligible U SPORTS players. This event gave him the opportunity to network with fellow players from around the conference and compete in front of scouts and general mangers of various CFL teams. 
 
“The bowl gave me confidence. It showed me that I belong here and that I’m good enough to take this to the next level,” said Sestanovic. 
 
Fast forward to today, Sestanovic and his teammates are in the midst of a ruthless training regimen to prep for the various drills they will face. Sestanovic specifically is involved with a draft-prep group that helps you get physically prepared for the combine’s various tests. 

The routine he typically endures revolves around the staples of the event: the 40-yard dash, 225-pound bench press, vertical and broad jumps and agility drills like the 5-10-5 shuttle. He finds himself training at McMaster three days a week for sprint mechanics while other days are focused on lifting. Some days demand both. Sestanovic is currently training under McMaster football alumni and member of the Vanier Cup team, Joey Nemet. 
 
With Sestanovic priding himself on being a “gym rat” he sets his goals high for the various tests. He hopes to run a sub 4.3 seconds time in shuttle as well as break his record of 24 reps on the 225lb bench press that he earned at the East-West bowl. He also hopes to prove his speed and agility in the classic 40-yard dash. 
 
“The 40 is the king of them all … People think it’s just running, but it’s so technical, you need to know stance, projection, transition. One small fix can change everything,” said Sestanovic. 

The 40 is the king of them all … People think it’s just running, but it’s so technical, you need to know stance, projection, transition. One small fix can change everything.

Anthony Sestanovic
McMaster Men’s Football

With two linebackers from Mac heading into the combine, one might ask if there is any friendly competition amongst the teammates. Sestanovic says he is proud and supportive of his fellow linebacker Aaron Lavers who earned a late addition to the combine. Lavers had been battling injuries in his third year of eligibility and has worked hard to earn his spot at the invitational. 
 
“I’m really happy for him, he’s been through a lot. Seeing him get that opportunity means a lot to me,” said Sestanovic. 
 
Sestanovic is focused on his performance at the invitational combine on March 6, where strong performances can earn a spot at the national combine in Edmonton later in March. After which the process accelerates as he moves on to interviews and finally the draft on April 28. 
 
When asked about a preferred draft destination he said he was open and grateful for any opportunity, with a few key suitors at the back of his mind. 
 
“Being an Oakville kid, I’m between the Argos and the Ticats. But being here at McMaster, the Ticats would be pretty special. That would feel really full circle,” said Sestanovic. 

Being an Oakville kid, I’m between the Argos and the Ticats. But being here at McMaster, the Ticats would be pretty special. That would feel really full circle.

Anthony Sestanovic
McMaster Men’s Football

As five McMaster athletes forged in the steel city prepare to make the leap from the university level to the big-leagues, Sestanovic and his teammates showcase the talent and hardworking mentalities that being a Marauder produces.