South Dakota State University's Ethan Vibert was one of 12 offensive linemen invited to the 2025 Canadian Football League Combine.
The Regina native had a contingent of friends and family cheering him on at the AffinityPlex throughout the weekend. That support allowed him to settle in to the evaluation process.
“I think it's easier, I got the support of my family and friends watching me and cheering me on.”
After graduating from Miller Comprehensive in Saskatchewan’s capital city, he accepted an opportunity to play in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
The six-foot-four, 310-pound lineman smoothly transitioned from Canadian football to the American version, dressing for a pair of games in 2020. Last season, he made 12 starts along the Jackrabbits offensive line, a group that allowed only eight sacks and racked up 3,542 rushing yards.
Vibert feels the transition back to the Canadian game is more challenging than the transition he made from high school to NCAA.
“I think that first transition from Canadian to the U.S. was the hardest, but I feel like a lot of it's a little less challenging switching back to Canadian, so that hasn't been too bad.”
The other transition Vibert faced during the combine was moving from side to side along the offensive line, which challenges offensive linemen mentally and physically.
“[Mentally] making sure you're not still thinking you're going a certain way on a play. In the physical part, you get comfortable taking those steps, lining up in that stance, switching back and forth, it takes a little getting used to.”
In addition to performing on the field, Vibert also wanted to do well in the interviews he lined up with numerous teams. He felt those were a mix of a conversation over coffee and a job interview.
“It's almost a mix of both. Some are questions about who you are as a person and some are more about business, more specific to your position or what you've done at your school.”
In addition to showing his skill set, Vibert also used the combine as an opportunity to grow. Throughout the combine, he was coached by offensive line coaches Mike Gibson from the Ottawa Redblacks and Ucambre Williams from the Calgary Stampeders.
“Great coaches and I was trying to absorb as much as possible, take the coaching in and get better from it. It is adding another tool to your toolbox.”
Like the rest of the prospects, Vibert now waits and hopes for his name to be called during the CFL Draft on Tuesday, April 29.
“I hope I've shown that I'm a hard-working, physical guy, take coaching and have done whatever I can to get eyes on me.”
