Football | 4/29/2026 10:40:00 AM
Two of the York University Lions most important pieces in the Dexter Janke era heard their names called Tuesday night in the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft.
Brody Clark, a linebacker from Delta, B.C., was selected in the fifth round, 42nd overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Meanwhile, kicker and punter Nathan Walker, a Bowmanville, Ont., native, is staying local after being taken in the seventh round, 57th overall by the Toronto Argonauts.
Clark, a former Langley Ram was a force in his first season with the Lions in 2024. played in seven games, leading the team in tackles with 61 and tackles per game with 8.7. Those 61 total tackles and 49 total tackles were good for second in the country behind only Riley Comeau of the Acadia Axemen, while the 8.7 tackles per game led the country, earning him an OUA second team all-star nod.
Clark's 2025 season was limited to just two games after he sustained a leg injury blocking a field goal in the Lions season opener against the McMaster Marauders. Originally thought to be season-ending, Clark rehabbed the injury in time to return for the Lions season finale against the Guelph Gryphons, and was credited with 4.5 tackles. For the season, he had 10 solo tackles and 12.5 total in the two games.
The 6'1, 210-pounder competed at the 2025 East-West Bowl, representing Team West, and was invited to the CFL Combine in Edmonton, where he finished sixth among linebackers in the 40-yard dash, and finished 66th overall in the event. He finishes his career at York with 73.5 total tackles (6.5 tackles for loss) in nine games, an average of 8.2 tackles per game, while hauling in one interception, forcing two fumbles – recovering one – breaking up four passes, and blocking one field goal.
Walker, a fourth-year criminology major, enjoyed a breakout season in 2025 that saw him earn an OUA second team-all star nomination. He started all eight games as the punter and placekicker for the Lions, reassuming kicking duties after Tucker Almert handled those in 2024. The 6'4, 210-pounder put up career-highs in field goals made, field goal percentage, extra points made, punting average and punts inside the 20-yard line. He went 11-for-15 (73%) on field goals with a long of 43 – also a career-best – while making 19 of his 21 extra point attempts. He also punted 48 times for a career-most 2,190 yards, an average of 45.6 yards per punt, which was good for second in the country. Walker landed 11 punts inside the 20.
These numbers earned him an invite to the CFL Kicking Showcase in San Diego, Calif. The event is run by former NFL kicker Nick Novak, who spent time with San Diego (now the Los Angeles Chargers), Houston, Washington, Kansas City and Arizona over a 10-year career.
Walker and Clark each have one more year of U SPORTS eligibility remaining should he not make their new teams, but both enter training camp – which starts May 10 – with a legitimate shot to at least earn practice roster spots.
Clark and Walker become the 62nd and 63rd players in program history to be drafted into the CFL. They are the first since Jason Janvier-Messier and Evan Anseeuw were selected by the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Elks, respectively, in 2024. Clark becomes the fourth York player to be selected by the Bombers while Walker is the seventh to be chosen by the Argos.
