Three former Queen’s Football players are taking the next step in their careers after being selected in the 2026 CFL Draft.
Offensive lineman Niklas Henning, ArtSci ’25, was selected second overall by the Toronto Argonauts, linebacker Justin Pace, ArtSci ’25, was taken 35th overall by the Edmonton Elks, and defensive end Steven Kpehe, Kin ’25, was picked 62nd overall by the Calgary Stampeders. The three selections followed a championship season for Queen’s, who captured its first Yates Cup since 2009.
READ MORE: Men’s football makes history, winning their 24th Yates Cup
For Kpehe, the draft marked the end of a year that shifted quickly. He entered the season unsure whether professional football was realistic, but a strong showing at the East-West Bowl gave him momentum heading into his final year with the Gaels.
In an interview with The Journal, Kpehe talked about the momentum he carried through the CFL regional and national combines, where he focused on treating each stage as another chance to compete.
“I did everything I knew I could do, and I was really happy with my performance at the combine,” Kpehe said. After advancing from the regional combine, he earned the opportunity to perform in front of CFL coaches, general managers, and scouts at the national level.
Before the draft, Kpehe helped Queen’s defeat Laurier in the Yates Cup, a game the Gaels entered with confidence despite being considered underdogs. Queen’s had lost to Laurier earlier in the season, but Kpehe said the team never doubted its ability to win the rematch.
“We didn’t care about the records. We didn’t care about any of that,” Kpehe said. “We were like, man, we’re gonna go and we’re gonna beat them. This is what Queen’s does.”
Kpehe described the championship win as one of the most memorable moments of his football career. He pointed to the defence’s strong first half, the team’s late-game resilience, and the celebration after Queen’s sealed the victory as moments that captured the closeness of the group.
Draft night brought a different kind of pressure. Kpehe watched from 225 Johnson St., surrounded by family, friends, and former teammates. After the broadcast cut out and draft websites lagged, the room was left unsure of where the draft stood.
Then his phone rang. Calgary Stampeders defensive line coach John Bowman told him the team was about to select him.
“I don’t even think I was speaking English in that moment,” Kpehe said. “Greatest phone call of my life.”
Since arriving in Calgary, Kpehe said the pace of professional football has moved quickly. Within days, he was learning the playbook, adjusting to rookie camp, and competing against players with NCAA and NFL experience.
Still, Kpehe said he is trying to stay grounded by reminding himself that the game is still football.
At the same time, the move to the CFL keeps him connected to former Gaels. Pace is now with Edmonton, while Henning’s second-overall selection added another standout story to Queen’s draft class. Kpehe, who lived with Henning and trained with him during the offseason, said his former teammate’s rise from walk-on to top CFL pick reflected his work ethic and athleticism.
“I called it in the third year that this guy is going to the NFL.”
For Kpehe, being drafted is also tied to what Queen’s Football meant to him. After winning a Yates Cup and becoming part of the program’s history, he said his connection to the Gaels will continue beyond graduation.
“Queens football has much pride and history, and being a part of it is a feeling like no other.”
Tags
CFL, CFL Combine, Justin Pace, Queen's football, steven kpehe
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