A pair of Golden Bears heard their names called on Tuesday night, as Carter Kettyle (REC) and Matthew Ljuden (OL) were both selected by the Edmonton Elks in the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft. 

Kettyle was the first Bear off the board, as he was selected 21st overall by the Elks. Ljuden was taken 59th overall. 

Kettyle had the best season of his varsity career in 2025, as he led Canada West in yards per reception, finished second in receiving touchdowns, and fifth in yards and yards per game. Over his four-year career at the U of A, Kettyle has totalled 1,547 receiving yards, 94 receptions, and 15 receiving touchdowns. His 15 TD's are the fifth most in team history. 

He earned Canada West All-Star status in 2025, along with being named a first team U SPORTS All-Canadian. 

Ljuden has appeared in 28 games over the past four seasons for the Golden Bears, including 24 as a starter. After spending his first three seasons at right guard, the Grande Prairie product was the Bears starting centre in 2025. He was named a Canada West All-Star in 2023, and a second team U SPORTS All-Canadian. 

CFL rookie camps being on May 6th, with full training camps getting underway on May 10th. The 2026 CFL season will kickoff on June 4th. 

Golden Bears/CFL Draft - By the Numbers

Largest Alberta Draft Classes

* - Since 1985
7 – 1985
5 – 2025
4 – 1996, 2022, 2024
3 – 1986, 1993, 2023
2 – 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995, 2005, 2009, 2017, 2018, 2026

Golden Bears by drafted CFL Franchise

* - Since 1963
Edmonton – 77
Saskatchewan – 23
Calgary – 21
Montreal – 13
BC – 13
Winnipeg – 10
Hamilton – 10
Ottawa – 7
Toronto – 3

Recent Golden Bears football draft history

YEAR	ROUND	OVERALL	TEAM	NAME	POS
2018	1	4	Ottawa	Mark Korte	OL
2018	5	39	Calgary	Justin Lawrence	OL
2019	5	42	BC	Jon Harke	OL
2020	3	22	Montreal	Carter O'Donnell	OL
2021	1	5	Edmonton	Cole Nelson	DL
2022	2	14	Calgary	Josiah Schakel	LB
2022	2	18	Montreal	Rodeem Brown	OL
2022	6	51	Montreal	Peter Kozushka	OL
2022	6	54	Saskatchewan	Jayden Dalke	DB
2023	2	19	Edmonton	Jake Taylor	LB
2023	3	22	Calgary	Kwadwo Boahen	DL
2023	7	62	Winnipeg	Jonathan Rosery	REC
2024	3	27	Toronto	Tyshon Blackburn	DB
2024	4	36	Hamilton	Matthew Peterson	RB
2024	6	52	Hamilton	Jonathan Giustini	DB/K
2024	8	72	Toronto	Daniel Shin	OL
2025	3	28	Hamilton	Mack Bannatyne	DB
2025	4	36	Hamilton	Ty Anderson	DL
2025	6	50	BC	Chase Tataryn	LB
2025	7	58	Edmonton	Kolby Hurford	REC
2025	8	71	Winnipeg	Iwinosa Uwubanmwen	OL
2026	3	21	Edmonton	Carter Kettyle	REC
2026	7	59	Edmonton	Matthew Ljuden	OL