Stuart, Kettyle carry momentum through CFL Combine weekend

Carter Stuart and Carter Kettyle showcased their athleticism on March 27 during testing. Saturday and Sunday were about proving it wasn’t a one-day thing.

After strong testing numbers at the Canadian Football League (CFL) Combine Athletic Testing, both Golden Bears followed it up with steady, confident performances in the practice sessions at Foote Field. Against a group that included National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) transfers, former pros, and top U Sports talent, neither player looked out of place. If anything, they looked more comfortable as the weekend went on.

Carter Stuart

The numbers were already there. His shuttle and three-cone times turned heads, especially for a lineman his size. But once the pads came on, the focus shifted to how that athleticism translated in-game.

Early on, there were a few expected bumps. He played aggressive, trying to win reps quickly, and at times that worked against him. But what stood out was how quickly he adjusted. By the second day, his sets were cleaner, his hands were more controlled, and he looked far more balanced when absorbing contact.

“I just wanted to show I can be consistent,” Stuart said. “That I can handle whatever they throw at me.”

That showed up on Sunday.

His run blocking remained his biggest strength. He was physical, finished plays, and was violent at the point of attack. That part of his game translated right away. But the bigger takeaway was how he held up in pass protection as the weekend progressed. He was more patient, didn’t overcommit, and showed he can stay in front of quicker rushers when he stays under control.

He also moved around the line, taking reps at left guard and light guard rather than his usual spot at left tackle. That versatility matters, especially at the next level, and Stuart handled it well without looking uncomfortable.

Carter Kettyle

He didn’t need to dominate reps to stand out, he just needed to look like a reliable playmaker.

Every drill looked controlled. Routes were clean, breaks were sharp, and he consistently gave quarterbacks an easy target. In 12-on-12 drills, he found space in the middle of the field, worked well along the sideline, and didn’t try to force big plays that weren’t there.

“I try to focus on the details,” Kettyle said. “Knowing where to be, when to be there, and making it easy on the quarterback.”

That approach showed up across both days.

In one-on-ones, he had success creating separation on timing routes, especially in that short-to-intermediate range. In team periods, he looked comfortable working within the offence, finding soft spots in coverage and keeping plays alive.

Kettyle also showed the same composure he talked about earlier in the week. No panic, no forcing things, just steady reps from start to finish. That kind of consistency can separate players when scouts are watching every detail.

One standout play was during the 12-on-12 drills, where he lined up against top defensive players. Kettyle ran a textbook corner route and caught a perfectly placed ball from Ottawa quarterback Josh Janssen on a toe tap. The separation from Guelph linebacker Yunus Larry was surgical, and the ball skills were on full display.

“I mean, I’ve made a living off corner routes,” Kettyle said earlier in the week. This big-time play got him looks from CFL scouts and media alike, likely moving him up draft boards.

Both players came into the weekend with something to prove, and both followed through in different ways.

Stuart showed he can adapt and improve against higher-level competition. Kettyle showed that his game translates, even when the speed picks up and the margin for error shrinks.

Neither tried to do too much, they played consistent strong ball and proved their skills one play at a time. 

With the CFL draft set for April 28, that is exactly what they needed.

Both Carters arrived as strong U Sports players. They left having made a real case that they belong in the CFL.