Football | 2/17/2026 2:05:00 PM

York University Lions punter and kicker Nathan Walker will be among the top draft-eligible players taking part in the CFL Kicking Showcase from Feb. 21-22 in San Diego, Calif. 

Walker, who wrapped up his fourth season in the red and white, is coming off the best season of his career, which earned him an OUA second team all-star selection. The Bowmanville, Ont., native, who re-introduced placekicking to his duties full-time in 2025 in addition to handling all punting duties, went 11-for-15 on field goals (73.3%) and 19-for-21 on extra points (90.4%), with a long of 43 in Week 7 at Waterloo.

Punting, however, is where the 6'4, 210-pounder truly made his mark. Walker, who came into 2025 with a punting average of 37.4 yards over 164 career punts, posted a career best 45.6 yards per punt to lead the OUA and finish second in the nation behind only Michael Horvat of McMaster. He booted it away 48 times this past season for 2,190 yards. He also had a career-most 11 punts land inside the 20-yard line, building off his previous mark of nine set in 2024.

The showcase, which is the fourth annual event, will feature personnel from all nine CFL franchises. It is run Novak Kicking & Consulting, the business of former NFL kicker Nick Novak, who spent 12 seasons in the league and played for six teams, including his hometown San Diego Chargers. The event has featured current CFL kicker/punters Campbell Fair (Saskatchewan), and Vincent Blanchard (Edmonton).