2017 regular season record: 5-3

2017 regular season standings: 5 th in OUA

in OUA 2017 playoff record: 1-1

2017 playoff finish: Won 30-8 over Ottawa in OUA quarterfinal, lost 66-12 to Western in OUA Semis



General Write-Up:

With an excellent recruiting class complimenting a strong core of returning players, the Guelph Gryphons enter the 2018 U SPORTS football season as one of the top contenders in the OUA. After spending the previous seven seasons as the team’s offensive coordinator and director of recruiting, Todd Galloway takes over head coaching duties of a Gryphon team that saw their 2017 campaign come to an end following an OUA semifinal loss to the eventual Vanier Cup champions, the Western Mustangs. The Gryphons head into the 2018 season with dynamic players on offence, defence and special teams, and will be tested early with four of the team’s first six games coming on the road.

Fourth-year quarterback Theo Landers will lead the Gryphon offence in what will be his first full year as the team’s starting QB. When it comes to the Gryphon rushing attack and receiving core, the name of the game is depth, with the Gryphons having a deep stable of ball carriers behind Landers, while four of the team’s starting five receivers from 2017 return in 2018.

Defensively, the Gryphons boast a formidable front seven, with defensive end Alain Cimankinda establishing himself as one of the top pass rushers in the OUA in 2017. Fifth-year senior Luke Korol, one of the leading tacklers in the country each of the past two seasons, headlines a solid linebacking core, while Dotun Aketepe, Elijah Walker and Akeem Knowles round out an athletic secondary.

On special teams, the Gryphons received a huge boost with the return of 2018 CFL Draft pick and All-Canadian kicker Gabe Ferraro. Ferraro, who set a national record in 2017 with 33 made field goals, is back for his fifth and final season with the Gryphons in 2018.

Quote from head coach: (Todd Galloway)

“Our players have worked extremely hard this off season and we’re excited about the balance we have with our returning vets and our younger players. We’ve seen some outstanding leadership from our guys throughout the offseason and it has been fun to watch them push each other in practice. We’re looking forward to testing ourselves week-in, week-out against a deep, talented field of OUA teams.”

Head Coach: (Todd Galloway)