Antwan Raymond’s Rise Could Open the Door for More Canadian NFL Prospects

Antwan Raymond, a 21‑year‑old running back from Montreal, has become one of the most talked‑about Canadian prospects in college football, and his recent achievements are already catching the eye of NFL scouts.

Last season Raymond rushed for 1,241 yards and 15 touchdowns, which placed him third in the Big Ten for both categories. The performance earned him All‑Big Ten second‑team honors, a semifinalist spot for the Doak Walker Award, and the Jon Cornish Award as the top Canadian player in NCAA football.

Raymond grew up in the Pierrefonds neighbourhood of Montreal and played high school football at Dalbé Viau High School, where former CFL player and coach Gilles Lezi guided his development. Lezi recalls a video of the 16‑year‑old bench‑pressing 225 pounds for 15 reps, a routine that reflected Raymond’s early dedication to strength and work ethic.

In 2025 Rutgers finished 5‑7, and Raymond accounted for 73 percent of the team’s rushing offense. He entered the 2026 season ranked 22nd on Rutgers’ all‑time rushing list, was named a third‑team pre‑season All‑American, and is expected to return for another year.

NFL Draft Buzz currently lists him as the eighth‑best draft‑eligible running back and 108th overall, describing him as a “workhorse back” with pro‑ready vision. His visibility as a high‑performing Canadian in the Big Ten, one of the nation’s most competitive conferences, could encourage NFL teams to scout more talent from Canada and motivate young athletes back home to pursue U.S. college opportunities.

If Raymond continues to excel, his story may help shift the perception that Canadian players are hidden gems, turning them into regular prospects for the NFL and strengthening the pipeline between Canadian high schools and the American professional league.

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