Football | 8/11/2025 3:00:00 PM

"A great success."

Those were the first three words York University Lions football head coach Dexter Janke used to describe 2024, a season that saw the program earn its first two non-forfeiture victories in five years, win its first ever game at York Lions Stadium and come to within one game of its first playoff appearance in two decades.

"How we define success is, 'where were we?', 'how much did we improve?', and 'how effective were we in the plan we laid out?', he said. "It was a much more competitive roster," he said. "Going into halftime of most games, it was a one or two score game (all but one game, in fact).

"Being able to put ourselves in a position to compete is something we were very proud of, and a lot of that comes down to the effort of the student athletes and how they bought in."

A key illustration of the turnaround of Lions football lies in the numbers – particularly point differential. 2024 saw York post the largest improvement in point differential in U SPORTS history.

The improvement of the program lay more than just on-field performance. Academically, there was also a huge rise in success, with the program on pace to have approximately 17 athletes achieve U SPORTS academic all-Canadian status, more than quadrupling the number from the previous year.

"Now that we've been able to have the eagle eye and look back at it not for what it wasn't, but what it was, we're very proud as a staff and as a program of what we were able to do," said Janke.

Now, looking ahead to 2025, the Lions are bringing in a recruiting class of at least 62, headlined by former McMaster Marauder quarterback Keagan Hall, who is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the country.

"He carries himself like a professional," Janke said of Hall, who spent four years at McMaster and finished second in the nation in passing yards in 2024 with 2,529, behind only Hec Crighton winner Taylor Elgersma of the Laurier Golden Hawks.

"It matters just as much to him to be a good teammate and a coachable student-athlete as it does to execute on the field," Hall's new head coach continued. "It's rare to find somebody like that."

Another transfer entering the fold is Jaden Dicks, a native of Etobicoke, Ont., who spent three seasons on the roster at Ole Miss in the NCAA after spending the cancelled 2020 season with the Guelph Gryphons.

"He's come in, and has been very hard-working," Janke said. "We're expecting some big things out of him this year."

As for high-school recruits, there are a few Janke keyed in on, both of whom are coming off player of the year honours.

Defensive back Kymani Bowen-Thompson joins the Pride from Brébeuf College in North York, under ten kilometres where he will suit up at York Lions Stadium. The 5'11, 175-pound corner is coming off a GTA defensive player of the year award in 2024.

The other is one of a similar name in Reid Thompson, a 6'2, 185-pound defensive back who comes to York from Kelowna B.C. and Rutland Secondary School, where he was the B.C. defensive player of the year.

The third high school recruit Janke brought up was David Nwodo, who played at Football North Prep in Mississauga, a team that faces solely American competition. A 6'5 H-back from Mississauga, he chooses the Lions despite fielding several NCAA offers.

As for returning athletes, there will be a slew of them – namely Milan Fernandes and Brody Clark. All Clark, a middle linebacker from Delta B.C., who came in from the CJFL's Langley Rams, did in his first OUA season was lead the nation in tackles per game and finishing second in total tackles, despite missing a game due to injury.

"He's arguably one of the best defensive players in the country," Janke said of the former Simon Fraser Red Leaf (NCAA DII). "I think he was overlooked by a lot of people last year, so excited to see him continue to work and build over an entire offseason and see what he does with the group this year."

On the offensive side of the ball, Fernandes, a soon-to-be third-year offensive lineman, started all eight games last season for York, including the final seven at left tackle.

"We're expecting a big year out of him, not just on the field, but  (we're) looking for him to be a strong leader in the locker room, not just with the offensive line but with the entire offence. 

"That's been a very connected, bought-in group," Janke continued on the offensive front, "so I'm looking forward to seeing how they continue to come together during training camp."

After the improvements from a year ago, the new fresh faces entering the fold and a key crop of returning veterans, the program is aiming even higher in 2025, and have a symmetrical approach to success.

"It will be an even more competitive roster," said Janke. "Training camp is going to be a very exciting time, and it's going to tell us a lot more about what our initial evaluation was.

"From a structure standpoint, our staff is much more aligned. We understand the expectations, what the day-to-day looks like and how to work with each other more effectively," he continued. "We have clearly set out what the expectations are, what the structure looks like, and the student-athletes understand what goes into winning football games and how to compete at a high level."

Not unlike all other programs in U SPORTS, the Lions have lost some key pieces of their roster – particularly Edmonton Elks draft pick, offensive lineman Evan Anseeuw and longtime Lion Alfred Olay.

"It's very difficult to replace an individual that was drafted at that position," Janke said. "Those are rare people, and Evan's presence will be missed, but we feel good about the people coming in to fill that role."

In Olay, the Lions lose a player who had been around since the 2018 season and took on a real leadership role amidst an uncertain time for the program.

"He was one of the most electric returners in the country," Janke said of the now-former Lion. "Alfred's on-field presence meant the same as his presence in the locker room and coaching him, so you can't replace that kind of person but we feel good about some of the young individuals coming in to step into the returner roles."

A theme for the Lions this season is, 'Rise of the Pride,' a motto with a double-meaning the program is wholeheartedly embracing.

"We've taken massive steps forward, but we want to pull people in further to show them this wasn't a one off – that this is a program want to come and be a part of ," Janke said. " We want people – specfiically our alumni – to be able to wear their gear with pride, to say they went to York and were a part of the football program."

As for expectations for the coming season, Janke is choosing to keep that close to the vest.

"We have our goals identified and we've been very clear about what we feel is attainable for us," he said. "We're not going to give anybody an opportunity to use that for fuel, but you will see a passionate and connected group, we'll continue to set a clear example of the culture we've implemented and how we want to represent our university, but that's as much as I'll communicate.

Janke's Lions will kick off their 2025 campaign on home turf against Hall's former team, the McMaster Marauders, on Aug. 23 at York Lions Stadium. You can purchase your single-game tickets here, and your 2025 football season pass here. Additionally, OUA TV all-access, sport-specific and single-game passes are available here.