Coming off a third playoff appearance in three seasons, the Golden Bears enter the 2022 campaign looking to earn a spot in the Hardy Cup for the first time since 2010.

Alberta went 3-3 in 2021, rostering five Canada West All-Stars, before eventually falling to Manitoba in the Hardy Cup Semifinal. 

The Bears strong 2021 season was punctuated with a stellar CFL Draft, which saw four Bears selected, marking the largest draft class for Alberta since 1996. 

Chris Morris heads into his 10th season at the helm of the Bears, having guided the Evergreen and Gold to a 12-18 conference record over the past four seasons, including a 7-7 mark over the last two. 

Despite some roster turnover, both with graduation and professional opportunities, the Bears return a talented roster this fall. Offensively, Alberta will once again boast one of the best offensive lines in the nation, which will create room for dynamic playmakers such as Matthew Peterson and Jonathan Rosery.

On defence, Tyshon Blackburn (HB), Jake Taylor (HB), and Riley Szafranski (DL) anchor a unit brimming with CFL prospects. 

2022 CW FB PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Team - Points (First-place votes)

1. Saskatchewan Huskies - 24 (4)
2. Manitoba Bisons - 20 (1)
3. British Columbia Thunderbirds - 17 (1)
4. Calgary Dinos - 11 
5. Alberta Golden Bears - 10
6. Regina Rams - 8 

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BEARS SEASON PREVIEW

2021 CW regular season record: /3-3/, 3^rd  
2021 post-season record: /0-1/, Loss to Manitoba in Hardy Cup Semifinal
 
Last Hardy Cup championship / total Hardy Cup championships: 1981 / 16
Last Vanier Cup championship / total Vanier Cup championships: 1980 / 3
 
2022 CFL Draft picks:
LB – Josiah Schakel – Calgary Stampeders
OL – Rodeem Brown – Montreal Alouettes
OL – Peter Kozushka – Montreal Alouettes
DB – Jayden Dalke – Saskatchewan Roughriders
 
2021 CW regular season ranks:
Points for: 29.0 PPG, 3^rd
Total offence: 366.3 YPG, 4^th
Points against: 31.0 PPG, 5^th
Total defence: 429.3 YPG, 6^th
 
2021 CW regular season leaders: (Bold – Returning)
Passing yards: 1,145 – Brad Launhardt, Quarterback
Rushing yards: 391 – Matthew Peterson
Receiving yards: 348 – Jonathan Rosery, Receiver
All-purpose yards: 603 – Jonathan Rosery, Receiver
Tackles: 51.5 – Josiah Schakel, Linebacker
Sacks: 4 – Josiah Schakel, Linebacker
Interceptions: 2 – Tyshon Blackburn, Defensive Back
 
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Micheal Peloso / Linebacker / 1 / Okotoks, AB / Phillips Exeter Academy
Carter Kettyle / Receiver / 1 / Grovedale, AB / St. Joseph Catholic High School
Chewy Thomas / Receiver / 1 / Calgary, AB / Notre Dame High School
Reiss Flunder / Linebacker / 1 / Red Deer, AB / Edmonton Wildcats
Josh Lenz / Defensive End / 1 / Edmonton, AB / Edmonton Huskies
 
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Brad Launhardt / Quarterback / Sherwood Park, AB / 4
Josiah Schakel / Linebacker / Sherwood Park, AB / 4
Jayden Dalke / Safety / Leduc, AB / 3
Tyler Turner / Receiver / St. Albert, AB / 3
Justice Momoka / Linebacker / Edmonton, AB / 5
 
Key offensive performer:
Jonathan Rosery
Receiver
4^th Year
Edmonton, AB
 
A running back turned receiver, Jonathan Rosery returns to the Bears one season after leading the program in both receiving yards and all-purpose yards.
 
One of the most dynamic players in Canada West, Rosery lined up all over the field in 2021, recording 181 kick return yards and 66 rush yards to go along with his 348 receiving yards. Rosery was also one of three Bears to participate in the U SPORTS East-West Bowl in May.
 
Primarily lining up in the slot or as a receiving back, Rosery will once again be a focal part of a Bears offence that scored 29.0 points per game a year ago.
 
Key defensive performer:
Tyshon Blackburn
Halfback
3^rd Year
Calgary, AB
 
One of the best defensive playmakers in the nation, halfback Tyshon Blackburn returns to the Bears looking to build off an impressive 2021 campaign.
 
The Calgary, AB product totaled 22.5 tackles, three pass breakups, and a team-high two interceptions in six conference games in 2021. Blackburn was named both a Canada West All-Star and first team U SPORTS All-Canadian last fall.
 
Like Rosery, Blackburn also competed at the 2022 U SPORTS East-West Bowl in Hamilton this past spring.
 
With his name listed among the top 2023 CFL Prospects, Blackburn will lead a talented Bears defensive backfield this season.