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Nine players with local ties have been invited to the Canadian Football League’s Ontario Regional Combine set for Thursday at University of Toronto.

Western will send defensive linemen Andrew Thurston and Jimmy Hawley, linebacker Philippe Dion and defensive back Hakeem Johnson. Scott Hutter and Drew Mairleitner (both with Laurier), Nick Hallett (Toronto) and Kyle Boismier (Waterloo) hail from London and area, as does former Beefeaters d-lineman Brendan Hepburn.

The players will complete a series of drills in an effort to earn a spot at the CFL Combine scheduled for Friday to Sunday. Western quarterback Chris Merchant, linebacker Fraser Sopik and running back Cedric Joseph have already booked berths at the national combine ahead of the league’s draft May 2.