The Mustangs have one less athlete in the mix for the 2026 Canadian Football League Draft.<\/p>\n
Mustangs football star third-year linebacker Jude Buchanan was removed from the 2026 CFL Invitational Combine roster and announced a commitment to play for NCAA Division I football at Akron University in Ohio, U.S..\u00a0<\/p>\n
British Columbia-born Buchanan was previously rostered for Virginia\u2019s NCAA DI Old Dominion University Monarchs in 2022, before transferring to Western University in Fall 2023.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Buchanan led the Mustangs’ defence, recording 5.3 tackles per game this past season. He was also third in the Ontario University Athletics in assists for the 2025\u201326 season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really a golden opportunity. It was hard to pass up on,\u201d Buchanan said about his signing with the Akron Zips, in an interview with the Gazette. He added that Akron\u2019s coaching staff was one of the key reasons for his decision.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The CFL confirmed Buchanan was removed from the Invitational Combine Roster via a post on X.<\/p>\n
2026 CFL Invitational Combine Roster Update<\/p>\n
Added:
DB Isiah Blackson \u2013 Waterloo
DB Tristan Miller \u2013 Laurier<\/p>\n
Not participating in on\u2011field testing\/drills (injury):
DB Robert Springer Jr. \u2013 Windsor<\/p>\n
Removed:
LB Jude Buchanan \u2013 Western (NCAA transfer \u2013 deferred)<\/p>\n
Roster:\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/zgGz2pSxtK<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 CFL Communications (@CFL_PR) March 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Buchanan added that although he recognizes the CFL as \u201ca very respected option,\u201d his ultimate goal is to play in the National Football League.\u00a0<\/p>\n He also feels his style of play fits the American-style of football, describing himself as a \u201crun-stopping downhill player.\u201d<\/p>\n The Akron football program was barred from the 2025 NCAA postseason due to its failure to meet the NCAA’s measure of academic standards, the Academic Progress Rate.<\/p>\n The NCAA lifted the restrictions on Akron\u2019s program in 2026, ESPN reported on March 4<\/a>.<\/p>\n