Concordia athletics records show dozens of Stingers alumni moving into professional ranks since the 1970s, establishing a steady pipeline to the professional gridiron.
Stingers drafted into professional football across five decades
Programs across the Canadian Football League have regularly added Stingers talent to bolster offensive lines, defensive units, and special teams.
Among the earliest recorded selections from this lineage, Art Niederbuhl went to Calgary in the eighth round of the 1975 draft. A year later, the 1976 draft saw a substantial wave of Stingers selected across various franchises, including receiver Dave McMillan by Calgary, offensive lineman Larry Tittley by Calgary, and defensive lineman Gary Anderson by Winnipeg. John Montelpare joined Toronto in the seventh round that same year, while Mike Walkukavic went to Calgary in the seventh round, Bernie Muldoon went to Toronto in the tenth round, and Wade Clare joined Ottawa in the second round.
Draft positions and territorial exemptions shape the pipeline
The progression of Stingers into the professional ranks highlights distinct eras of roster building, utilizing both traditional rounds and territorial exemptions that were part of earlier league structures. Defensive and offensive linemen, linebackers, and special teams specialists have consistently drawn attention from talent evaluators.
Head coach Brad Collinson is pleased to announce receiver Franck Tano from @CegepLanaudiere has committed to the Concordia football program. Welcome to the Stingers family Franck! #CUstingers #CUfootball #CUrecruit pic.twitter.com/7JYJA62vYC
In the 1980s, selections included offensive lineman Rocco Romano going first to Calgary in 1987, alongside defensive lineman Joe Fortune to Hamilton and offensive lineman Mike Bertone to Montreal. Earlier in the decade, Tony Marrone joined Hamilton in the second round of 1984, while Paul Palma and Martin Disabatino were selected by Hamilton in 1983. Defensive and offensive stalwarts from the mid-1980s featured Nick Benjamin going first to Ottawa in 1985, accompanied by guard Lance Harry to Hamilton, linebacker Greg Miller to Winnipeg, and defensive end Roger Mayer to Saskatchewan.
Moving into the 1990s, Paul Vajda and Paul Maines both went to Saskatchewan in the first and third rounds respectively in 1991, while Nigel Smith joined Calgary in the sixth round. Richard McCrory followed to Calgary in the third round of 1989. The mid-1990s produced defensive back Mark Montreuil, who was selected in the first round by Toronto in 1995 and subsequently spent time with San Diego. Denis Montana was selected in the first round by Montreal in 1996 and also spent time with Houston, while Farell Duclair went first to Calgary in 1996.
Recent Stingers making their mark in the professional ranks
Recent draft classes demonstrate that Concordia continues to produce high-level prospects for the professional game. The transition from university competition to professional training camps involves rigorous evaluations during annual scouting showcases.
In the 2026 draft cycle, Christopher Liberta signed as a territorial exemption specialist for long snaps with Toronto, while linebacker Loïk Gagné went fifth to Hamilton. The 2025 class featured offensive lineman Félix Despins and kicker Eric Maximuik both landing with Hamilton through territorial exemptions. Ezchiel Tieide was selected in the second round by the Lions de la C. B., following a 2023 draft class that saw defensive back Dawson Pierre go third to Ottawa, linebacker Zach Philion go seventh to Ottawa, and receiver Jeremy Murphy go third to Winnipeg.
NFL opportunities and international pathways
Several prominent Concordia alumni extended their professional careers beyond the Canadian Football League, earning opportunities in the National Football League through various pathways.
Offensive lineman Maurice Simba was selected in the fourth round by Toronto in 2019 before spending time with Kansas City. Kristian Matte went first to Montreal in 2010 and also spent time with Houston. Linebacker Cory Greenwood was selected first by Toronto in 2010 and similarly reached the NFL with Kansas City. Burke Dales signed as a territorial exemption with Pittsburgh in 2002, while Sylvain Girard went first to Montreal in 1999 before joining Cleveland.
