The quartet of Chris Joseph, Devon Crenshaw, Gavin Hemeon, and Ryan Stewart will represent University of Toronto Varsity Blues football as selected members of Team East for the 2026 East-West Bowl on Saturday, May 9 at Warrior Field in Waterloo, Ont.

Joseph received the invite after completing one of the greatest regular season's performances in U SPORTS history this past fall. The 6-foot receiver from Richmond, B.C., established a new U SPORTS record for single season receptions in 2025, registering 77 catches across eight regular season games played. This included tying the U SPORTS single game receptions record twice, recording 19 receptions at Carleton and York. The U SPORTS All-Canadian finished the 2025 campaign with 863 total receiving yards and four receiving touchdown.

Crenshaw, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back from Coquitlam, B.C., appeared in all eight regular season contests for the Blues in 2025. The long-armed defender tallied 18 total tackles, adding one forced fumble, two interceptions, one pass breakup, and one blocked kick. Across three seasons and 20 games played at U of T, the shutdown corner has registered over 40 career tackles to go along with 10 pass deflections and five interceptions.

A 6-foot-7 offensive tackle from Thunder Bay, Ont., Hemeon has been a constant on the offensive line for Toronto across his three seasons so far. Hemeon has already appeared in 24 regular season contests for the Blue and White, utilizing his exceptional wing-span and quick feet to outmaneuver and shut down the opposition.

A disruptor from his linebacker position, Stewart has surpassed 100 career tackles as a Varsity Blue in his four seasons. Hailing from King, Ont., the 6-foot-2, 220-pound playmaker has appeared in 26 games at U of T. He led the team in tackles in 2023 and ranked second on the Blues in 2025. Along with his ability to bring down his opponents, he has also recorded three interceptions, nine pass breakups, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and three interceptions. Among those three interceptions was also a U of T record 106-yard pick-six.
 
This year the East-West Bowl features the top 107 Canadian university football players eligible for the 2027 CFL Draft as they look to showcase their skills to coaches, general managers, and personnel from the Canadian Football League. A minimum of three players in their third or fourth year from each of the 27 U SPORTS football programs will attend the game. 
 
This year's East-West Bowl will also feature a virtual coaches clinic on April 11 and 12.

Kickoff for the showcase event is set for 12:30 p.m., Saturday, May 9 at Warrior Field.

*Update - May 4, 2026*

A 6-foot-2 receiver, Denayden Lee-Daniel was selected as a late addition to the 2026 East-West Bowl. The Vancouver native has been a contributor on both offence and special teams throughout his three seasons with the Varsity Blues so far. In 2025 he recorded eight receptions for 98 yards, six kickoff returns for 73 yards, and 1.5 special teams tackles.

A 6-foot defensive back from Surrey, B.C., Lachlan Scardina was also added to the 2026 East-West Bowl. Through four seasons he has appeared in 28 regular season games, registering 48 solo tackles and 43 assisted tackles, including five tackles for loss. Additionally, Scardina has recorded seven pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and one interception.