A trio of top Canadian draft prospects are slated to participate in the Hula Bowl in the hopes of raising their stock with NFL and CFL teams.
Defensive back Jett Elad, linebacker Dariel Djabome, and defensive end Wesley Bailey are scheduled to report on Monday for a week of practice leading up to the all-star game on Saturday.
Elad wrapped up his collegiate career in 2025 with Rutgers after suing the NCAA in order to gain a seventh season of eligibility. In 12 games for the Scarlet Knights, the six-foot, 202-pound safety amassed 80 total tackles, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, three pass deflections, two interceptions, and a blocked kick to be named honourable mention All-Big Ten.
The native of Mississauga, Ont., began his collegiate career at Ohio in 2019, where he spent three seasons. He attended Garden City Community College in 2022, before returning to the NCAA in 2023 with UNLV. In 53 FBS games spread between three schools, Elad has produced 267 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, 18 pass breakups, and five interceptions. He has been named a finalist for the Jon Cornish Trophy as Canada’s top NCAA football player in three consecutive seasons and was the sixth-rated prospect on the CFL’s fall Scouting Bureau rankings.
Djabome was also an honourable mention All-Big Ten selection for Rutgers in 2025, notching 71 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He is the tenth-ranked prospect in the 2026 CFL Draft
In 47 career games for the Scarlet Knights, the six-foot-two, 237-pound linebacker has made 192 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. The native of Longeuil, Que., had his best season in 2024, when he was a third-team All-Big Ten honouree and a Cornish Trophy finalist
Bailey concluded his collegiate career at Louisville in 2025. In 12 games for the Cardinals, the six-foot-five, 265-pound edge rusher made 39 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, and six sacks.
The native of Ottawa, Ont., transferred after five years at Rutgers. In 48 NCAA appearances, the third-ranked prospect in the 2026 CFL Draft has collected 110 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries, and six pass breakups.
Louisville defensive tackle Rene Konga from Ottawa, Ont., was also invited to the game, though it appears he has since pivoted after accepting an invitation to the American Bowl on January 22.
The Hula Bowl was first held in 1947 and ran until 2008, before being revived in 2020. The game was hosted in Hawaii until 2022, when it was moved to the mainland. The two teams at this year’s event will be led by former NFL head coaches Jon and Jay Gruden.
The 2026 game will take place on Spec Martin Memorial Stadium in DeLand, Fla., on Saturday, January 10. It will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network in the United States, with kickoff slated for 12:00 p.m. EST.
