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A pair of Golden Bears heard their names called on Tuesday night, as Carter Kettyle (REC) and Matthew Ljuden (OL) were both selected by the Edmonton Elks in the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft. 

Kettyle was the first Bear off the board, as he was selected 21st overall by the Elks. Ljuden was taken 59th overall. 

Kettyle had the best season of his varsity career in 2025, as he led Canada West in yards per reception, finished second in receiving touchdowns, and fifth in yards and yards per game. Over his four-year career at the U of A, Kettyle has totalled 1,547 receiving yards, 94 receptions, and 15 receiving touchdowns. His 15 TD’s are the fifth most in team history. 

He earned Canada West All-Star status in 2025, along with being named a first team U SPORTS All-Canadian. 

Ljuden has appeared in 28 games over the past four seasons for the Golden Bears, including 24 as a starter. After spending his first three seasons at right guard, the Grande Prairie product was the Bears starting centre in 2025. He was named a Canada West All-Star in 2023, and a second team U SPORTS All-Canadian. 

CFL rookie camps being on May 6th, with full training camps getting underway on May 10th. The 2026 CFL season will kickoff on June 4th. 

Golden Bears/CFL Draft – By the Numbers

Largest Alberta Draft Classes
* – Since 1985
7 – 1985
5 – 2025
4 – 1996, 2022, 2024
3 – 1986, 1993, 2023
2 – 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995, 2005, 2009, 2017, 2018, 2026
Golden Bears by drafted CFL Franchise
* – Since 1963
Edmonton – 77
Saskatchewan – 23
Calgary – 21
Montreal – 13
BC – 13
Winnipeg – 10
Hamilton – 10
Ottawa – 7
Toronto – 3
Recent Golden Bears football draft history




YEAR
ROUND
OVERALL
TEAM
NAME
POS


2018
1
4
Ottawa
Mark Korte
OL


2018
5
39
Calgary
Justin Lawrence
OL


2019
5
42
BC
Jon Harke
OL


2020
3
22
Montreal
Carter O’Donnell
OL


2021
1
5
Edmonton
Cole Nelson
DL


2022
2
14
Calgary
Josiah Schakel
LB


2022
2
18
Montreal
Rodeem Brown
OL


2022
6
51
Montreal
Peter Kozushka
OL


2022
6
54
Saskatchewan
Jayden Dalke
DB


2023
2
19
Edmonton
Jake Taylor
LB


2023
3
22
Calgary
Kwadwo Boahen
DL


2023
7
62
Winnipeg
Jonathan Rosery
REC


2024
3
27
Toronto
Tyshon Blackburn
DB


2024
4
36
Hamilton
Matthew Peterson
RB


2024
6
52
Hamilton
Jonathan Giustini
DB/K


2024
8
72
Toronto
Daniel Shin
OL


2025
3
28
Hamilton
Mack Bannatyne
DB


2025
4
36
Hamilton
Ty Anderson
DL


2025
6
50
BC
Chase Tataryn
LB


2025
7
58
Edmonton
Kolby Hurford
REC


2025
8
71
Winnipeg
Iwinosa Uwubanmwen
OL


2026
3
21
Edmonton
Carter Kettyle
REC


2026
7
59
Edmonton
Matthew Ljuden
OL