Regina Rams Football Stars Earn Coveted CFL Combine Invitations
Two standout players from the University of Regina Rams football program are poised to showcase their talents on a national stage as they prepare for the upcoming Canadian Football League combine. Defensive back Carson Sombach and offensive lineman Ethan Graham have both received official invitations to participate in the prestigious CFL national combine, scheduled to take place from March 27 to 29 in Edmonton, Alberta.
Pathway to Professional Football
The CFL national combine represents a critical evaluation opportunity for top draft-eligible prospects across Canada, serving as the primary showcase event ahead of the CFL Draft on April 28. For Sombach and Graham, both Regina natives, this invitation validates years of dedication and hard work on the gridiron.
"It takes off a lot of stress," Sombach explained this week. "Because if you go to the invitational, your goal is to get invited to the national, so already having that takes off that stress. Now I get to just go straight to the national and get to be in front of as many people as I possibly can to show them what I can do and my football knowledge and my football ability."
Additional Rams Prospects in the Mix
While Sombach and Graham have secured their spots at the national combine, three other University of Regina Rams players will be competing at the invitational CFL combine this Friday in Waterloo, Ontario. Offensive lineman Riley Schick, defensive lineman Anthony Montas Leipert, and linebacker Colin McKellar will participate with hopes of earning a promotion to the national event.
The invitational combine features 83 draft-eligible prospects this year, while more than 70 athletes have already been selected for the national showcase. Among those heading to Edmonton is University of Saskatchewan Huskies defensive lineman Charlie Parks, another Regina product. Historically, the invitational combine has served as a valuable stepping stone, with 11 prospects advancing to the national event last year and eight making the jump in 2024.
Years of Preparation Coming to Fruition
For Graham, a 6-foot-7, 315-pound graduate of Sheldon-Williams Collegiate, the combine invitation represents the culmination of a long-standing ambition. "It was a goal for me since I've joined the Rams back in 2021 to make the CFL Combine," Graham revealed. "After the last two years, this was my expectation. I've put in a lot of work since I've joined the Rams to be where I am today, and it's great to be noticed by the CFL and finally get that recognition that says, 'Hey, we do notice the work you put in and we'd like you to show out in front of our clubs.'"
Both athletes attended last year's national combine in Regina as spectators when the event was hosted at the AffinityPlex, giving them valuable insight into what to expect. "I'm glad I went and watched now I have a good idea of what those days look like," said Sombach. "It was really cool to see those athletes work and move. It's kind of surreal that I'll be in that same spot that I was just watching last year."
Graham, who recently participated in the College Gridiron Showcase in Texas during January, echoed similar sentiments about his previous combine observation experience. "It was pretty cool to see it in person for the first time," he recalled. "I had done the drills before in the past, so I compared a lot of their numbers to my numbers. I imagined myself running the 40-yard dash in front of all the scouts and whatnot, so it's pretty cool that I'll be able to do that in three weeks."
Looking Ahead to Edmonton
As the combine dates approach, Sombach and Graham are intensifying their preparations for the rigorous evaluation process that awaits them in Edmonton. The combine will feature a comprehensive series of physical tests, position-specific drills, and interviews with CFL team representatives, all designed to assess their potential as professional football players.
Their participation in the national combine not only reflects their individual achievements but also highlights the continued development of football talent within the University of Regina Rams program and the broader Saskatchewan football community.
