\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/10.sports.cflcombine.rayan.print.._DSC7331_900_600_90.jpg\")
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\n\t\t\t\t\tLo\u00efk Gagn\u00e9 served as the heart of Concordia\u2019s defence throughout his illustrious career. Now, he\u2019ll take on the next challenge: the CFL. Photo Caroline Marsh<\/p>\nPlaying football professionally is a dream for many. This spring, four players from the Concordia University Stingers football program have the opportunity to make that dream a reality.<\/p>\n
The next step on the path to the draft is the Canadian Football League (CFL) Combine. Long snapper Christopher Liberta, defensive back Jean-S\u00e9bastien Lamothe and offensive lineman Damien Irep will compete at the Invitational and Provincial stages in pursuit of joining linebacker Lo\u00efk Gagn\u00e9 in the National Combine in Edmonton.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Together, they represent a graduating class that has helped elevate Concordia\u2019s presence on the national stage.<\/p>\n
For Gagn\u00e9, the invitation validates years of work.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means everything,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve been training for the past six years, dreaming about reaching this level. To actually be invited\u2014it\u2019s a blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Known for his versatility, Gagn\u00e9 has lined up at almost every defensive position and is a key player across multiple packages, even making an impact on special teams.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can describe me as a guy who can play multiple positions on defence,” Gagn\u00e9 said. “Just someone who\u2019s polyvalent and loves to have a chance to impact the game.”<\/p>\n
As an athletic therapy major at Concordia, Gagn\u00e9 approaches preparation with precision.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about being surgical with it,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s not just training hard. It\u2019s recovering properly, studying film, taking care of your body.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gagn\u00e9\u2019s talents perfectly complement Lamothe\u2019s adaptability and leadership on defence. Together, the dynamic duo represents Concordia\u2019s defence in this coming draft.<\/p>\n
Lamothe\u2019s experience everywhere on the field allows him to impact the game wherever he plays. For him, the opportunity carries deep personal meaning.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been playing football for a long time, and growing up, I never thought I\u2019d have the opportunity to do this,\u201d Lamothe said. \u201cI\u2019m very grateful to continue my career. To experience it with my teammates makes it even better. It\u2019s a blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Lamothe received the news, his thoughts immediately turned to the people who supported him along the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was super happy, super grateful,\u201d he said. \u201cI thought about my family, my teammates, my girlfriend, my coaches, everyone who\u2019s been with me throughout the journey. I think my younger self would be very proud.”<\/p>\n
Lamothe credits his time at Concordia with shaping him beyond football.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\u201cI\u2019ve been playing football for a long time, and growing up, I never thought I\u2019d have the opportunity to do this.\u201d
\n\t\t\t\u2014 Jean-S\u00e9bastien Lamothe, defensive back, Concordia University<\/p>\n
\u201cIt helped me deal with adversity and become a better leader and communicator,\u201d he said. \u201cI learned how to hold myself and others accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the offensive side of the ball, lineman Irep brings a combination of raw athleticism and strategy. In the trenches, Irep\u2019s game is built on physicality and power, traits he believes will translate well to the professional level.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited to show how well I can move for my size,\u201d Irep said. \u201cI\u2019m strong, I can move, I can finish blocks, I can pull. I believe that\u2019s what will help me stand out.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Irep, the invitation represents both validation and ambition. His initial reaction was a mix of relief and excitement.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy first thought was, \u2018Damn, I did it.\u2019 I wasn\u2019t sure if I\u2019d get the chance,\u201d Irep said. \u201cSeeing the invitation, I thought, \u2018Alright, now I get to show my skills\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Liberta\u2019s journey to the Combine is perhaps the most unconventional. A walk-on long snapper coming from a Division III program, he earned his place through persistence in one of football\u2019s most specialized and underrated roles.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just another chance to prove myself,\u201d Liberta said.<\/p>\n
At a position where consistency is expected and mistakes are magnified, the mental challenge is constant. Liberta emphasized his ability to stay calm and handle adversity as the decider between himself and other prospects.<\/p>\n
When asked how he would describe himself to scouts, his answer reflected both personality and work ethic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m old-school: rough hands, hard-working Italian,\u201d Liberta said. \u201cI\u2019m going to outwork people.\u201d<\/p>\n
As draft season approaches, these four Stingers\u2019 presence at the CFL combines signals more than individual success: it shows a football program capable of producing professional prospects, proving that Concordia football belongs in the national conversation.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Four former Stingers will get the chance to display their skills this spring SportsRayan Rekmani \u2014 Published February…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":496707,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[437],"tags":[49,48,521,522,520,82],"class_list":["post-496706","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cfl","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-canadian-football-league","tag-canadianfootballleague","tag-cfl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/496706","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=496706"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/496706\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/496707"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=496706"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=496706"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=496706"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}