With the vast majority of NFL players being American, it is essential to shine a light on the Canadians currently making waves in the league. From recent draft picks to established stars like the Cincinnati Bengals’ Chase Brown, Canadian representation in the NFL continues to reach new heights.

Fresh recruits

In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers selected two Canadians: Akheem Mesidor and Logan Taylor. Although drafted by the same franchise, their journeys to this point in their careers have differed. 

Mesidor, an Ottawa native, was a first-round pick as one of the most highly touted Canadian defensive prospects in draft history. As the 22nd overall selection, he became the first Canadian-born defensive player to be taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. 

Meanwhile, Taylor, from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, was a sixth-round pick, 202nd overall, and plays as a versatile offensive lineman. 

Leading up to the draft, Mesidor was considered a higher-profile prospect and received more national attention than Taylor. He was a prominent defensive lineman and pass rusher for the University of Miami, which advanced to the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship. 

Despite this, Taylor should not be underestimated. He was named team captain at Boston College and was a crucial anchor for the Eagles over the last three seasons. Both athletes are now set to represent Canada at the next level, giving fans plenty of reason to tune in to the NFL and support our players.

Honouring history

When reflecting on Canadians in the NFL today, it is equally important to remember the trailblazers who paved the way. The first Canadian drafted by an NFL team during the Super Bowl era was Vancouver’s Gary Pettigrew, selected in the second round of the 1966 draft. 

In 1982, the Varsity Blues’ very own Dan Feraday made history as the first Canadian university quarterback ever drafted into the NFL. While most Canadian players move to the US to attend American colleges, Feraday was drafted right out of U of T. 

The U of T quarterback has an interesting story. Though he was an extremely impressive player — setting multiple national passing records as a Blue — he was cut from the Toronto Argonauts spring training camp because of structural Canadian Football League (CFL) roster rules that have historically frozen out homegrown quarterbacks in favour of Americans. Then, one day after being cut by his hometown team, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 12th round.

Modern stars

Today, the Bengals feature another standout Canadian who has quickly carved out a crucial role in the backfield. Chase Brown, from London, Ontario, was drafted in the fifth round in 2023. 

He started as the Bengals’ backup running back in his rookie season, and in his sophomore year, he quickly proved himself as a dynamic talent. He logged 1,350 yards from scrimmage, both rushing and receiving, with 40 more receptions than in his rookie year, establishing himself among the NFL’s top running backs.

Brown’s twin brother, Sydney, was also drafted in 2023, going two rounds earlier to the Philadelphia Eagles. Having Canadian-born brothers selected in the same draft — both playing vital roles for respected franchises — marked an important milestone for northern representation. 

Alberta native Chuba Hubbard has also established himself as a star in the NFL. The running back was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2021, and that same year, he was also selected by his hometown CFL team, the Calgary Stampeders, in the CFL Draft. 

At a crossroads, Hubbard chose to bet on his talent and test himself against the world’s best players in the NFL. In 2024, he had a stellar breakout season, tallying 1,195 rushing yards and becoming the focal point of the Panthers’ offence. In 2025, despite a down year of 511 rushing yards due to injuries, he helped the team qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Hubbard is very vocal about how proud he is to be Canadian, and consistently champions his country to the highest level. As part of the NFL’s Heritage Program, an initiative that celebrates the diverse cultural origins of its players, Hubbard honours his roots by sporting a Canadian flag on the back of his helmet. For Hubbard, wearing the maple leaf fulfills his dream to represent his native land on football’s biggest stage.

Continued influence

Since 2011, at least one Canadian has been selected in every NFL Draft. In a league that reaches a massive audience every week, homegrown athletes competing among the best players in the world prove to the next generation that they, too, can follow the path to the football field. 

Watching players rise from all over the country, from Ottawa to London to Lunenburg, turns an elusive dream into an attainable reality for young athletes. From the original trailblazers who laid the groundwork, like Pettigrew and Feraday, to the current and upcoming stars, like Brown and Mesidor, Canadian football players continue to prove to the world that they are a force to be reckoned with.