In conjunction with the CFL Combine, Riderville.com is profiling the four attendees from Saskatchewan-based university teams. The series begins with a story on University of Saskatchewan Huskies offensive lineman Jack Warrack.

Although Jack Warrack isn’t a receiver, he followed a route navigated by a former University of Saskatchewan Huskies pass-catcher.

U of S alumnus Travis Gorski established a template by enjoying a successful move from southern Alberta to Saskatoon.

More than a decade after Gorski’s final game of Canada West football, he played a key role in Warrack — who is from Strathmore, Alta. — enrolling at the U of S and himself becoming a standout with the Huskies.

Gorski, who is from Medicine Hat, coached Warrack with the Strathmore Spartans high school team. Seeing the ability possessed by the strapping offensive lineman, Gorski put Warrack in touch with Huskies head coach Scott Flory.

“There’s an unreal football program and culture there, so as time went on through my recruiting journey, it kind of just turned into a no-brainer,” Warrack recalled on Thursday from Edmonton, where he is among 82 Draft prospects at the CFL Combine.

“It was one of the best decisions I could have made.”

That became clear very quickly.

The 6-foot-5, 290-pounder was named Canada West’s top rookie in 2022.

“It honestly wasn’t something I expected,” said Warrack, who was also honoured as Strathmore High School’s male athlete of the year in 2022.

“My goal coming in as a rookie was to push the older guys and contribute to the team as best I possibly could, understanding that my development was going to come.

“The vets and the coaches helped me out a ton. I was super fortunate to be able to step into that role and contribute in a big way early on.”

Warrack started all 12 games for the Huskies at right tackle in 2022 before moving to left tackle and, while crucially protecting the quarterback’s blind side, appearing in another 31 contests over a three-season span.

By playing intercollegiate football, Warrack is emulating his older brother. Russell Warrack is a former member of the University of Alberta Golden Bears.

“Seeing him play football when I was growing up, I started playing football at a young age,” Jack Warrack said.

“I played a bunch of other sports, too, like basketball and lacrosse. I loved all of them, but as I got into my later high school years, it was pretty obvious that I was better at football than I was at all the other sports, so I kind of got funnelled down that path.

“I’ve never looked back. It has been awesome.”

Warrack is now looking ahead to a milestone weekend. The three-day Combine begins Friday with testing in the morning and the bench press in the afternoon.

The testing component consists of the 40-yard dash, three-cone drill, short shuttle, broad jump and vertical jump.

Two practice sessions will follow on Saturday. A final practice is to be held on Sunday. The Combine is presented by Anytime Fitness.

Prospects for the 2026 CFL Draft, to be held April 28, will also be interviewed by representatives of the nine teams as they endeavour to fully evaluate players who are on their radar.

“I obviously want to play football as long as I can and I want to play football at the highest level possible,” Warrack said. “I’m looking forward to starting that journey this weekend.”

Warrack and defensive lineman Charlie Parks are the Huskies’ representatives at the Combine. Offensive lineman Ethan Graham and defensive back Carson Sombach are from the University of Regina Rams.

(The Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation supports all elite football in Saskatchewan.)

• JACK WARRACK PHOTO COURTESY HUSKIE ATHLETICS