Hamilton, Ont. — McMaster Marauders football celebrated a major milestone as Defensive Back Ethan Stuart, Offensive Lineman Frank Vreugdenhil, and Kicker/Punter Michael Horvat were selected in the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft, taking the next step in their football careers and continuing McMaster's tradition of developing talent for the professional level.

Ethan Stuart - DB - Winnipeg Blue Bombers - Round 4 - Pick 33

McMaster Marauders Defensive Back Ethan Stuart (Oakville, Ont.) has officially taken the next step in his football career, hearing his name called by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the fourth round, 33rd overall, of the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft. The Oakville native has earned the opportunity after building a reputation as one of the most dependable and physical defensive players in the OUA, combining leadership, toughness, and consistent production throughout his university career.

Standing at six-foot and 223 pounds, Stuart was a cornerstone of McMaster's secondary while balancing the demands of studying Civil Engineering in his fifth academic year. A graduate of Iroquois Ridge High School, he developed into a complete defensive back capable of making plays all over the field, whether in coverage, run support, or pressure situations.

In 35 career games with the Marauders, Stuart recorded 122 total tackles, including 80 solo stops, along with three tackles for loss, two sacks, eight pass deflections, three interceptions, and one fumble recovery. His ability to diagnose plays quickly, close gaps, and make momentum-shifting stops made him a key part of McMaster's defense.

His strongest season came in 2025, where he posted career highs with 52 total tackles, 33 solo tackles, two sacks, four pass breakups, and one interception across nine games, helping anchor the Marauders' defense throughout the year.

Stuart also turned heads at the 2026 CFL Combine, posting the fastest three-cone drill time of any participant with a mark of 6.82 seconds, showcasing his athleticism and quickness.

Frank Vreugdenhil - OL - Toronto Argonauts - Round 5 - Pick 40

McMaster Marauders Offensive Lineman Frank Vreugdenhil (Bellville, Ont.) has officially taken the next step in his football career, hearing his name called by the Toronto Argonauts in the fifth round, 40th overall, of the 2026 Canadian CFL Draft. The Belleville, Ont. native has earned the opportunity after establishing himself as a powerful and dependable presence on McMaster's offensive line, using his size, strength, and athleticism to anchor the Marauders' front.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, Vreugdenhil quickly developed into a key contributor at right tackle while balancing the demands of studying Psychology in his second academic year. 

His combination of physicality and movement skills made him a reliable protector in both the passing game and run game, helping create consistency along McMaster's offensive front.

After joining the Marauders following his time at the University of Toronto, where he competed in shot put, Vreugdenhil brought a unique athletic background to the football field. In 2020, he earned a bronze medal in shot put at the OUA Championships, highlighting the strength and explosiveness that would later translate to the offensive line.

In 2024, Vreugdenhil appeared in eight games at right tackle, serving as the backup in Week 1 against Laurier before starting every game for the remainder of the season. He followed that with an even stronger 2025 campaign, starting all nine games at right tackle and becoming a steady force for the Marauders.

Michael Horvat - K/P - Montreal Alouettes - Round 6 - Pick 55

McMaster Marauders standout specialist Michael Horvat (Hamilton, Ont.) has officially taken the next step in his football journey, being selected in the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft by the Montreal Alouettes in the sixth round, with the 55th overall pick.

A Hamilton native and graduate of Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School, Horvat leaves McMaster as one of the most accomplished special teams players in program history. The fourth-year Kinesiology student built a reputation as one of the top punters in U SPORTS, combining consistency, field position control, and game-changing leg strength throughout his career.

Across 28 career games, Horvat recorded 160 punts for 7,369 yards, averaging an impressive 46.1 yards per punt with a career-long of 79 yards. In his final season, he posted his strongest campaign yet, averaging 47.8 yards per punt while placing 19 punts inside the 20-yard line. His ability to flip the field made him one of the most valuable special teams weapons in the country.

Horvat also contributed on kickoffs, recording 86 career kickoffs for 4,491 yards and averaging 52.2 yards per attempt.

His dominance earned national recognition, including back-to-back U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian honours in 2024 and 2025, after being named a Second Team All-Canadian in 2023. He was also recognized as an OUA First Team All-Star punter and Second Team All-Star kicker in 2025.