Top honours have gone to a member of the University of Windsor Lancers football team, with quarterback Kareame Cotton being named the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Most Valuable Player for 2026. Cotton, a graduate student in the Faculty of Human Kinetics, is the first Lancer football player in 20 years to earn the conference’s top individual honour. Running back Daryl Stephenson was the last Windsor player to be named OUA MVP, winning the Larry Haylor Award in 2006. Cotton helped lead the Lancers to a 6-2 regular-season record and a five-game winning streak. “During the season, I didn’t really care for it. I was just trying to win football games. I could care less about individual awards,” Cotton said. The North Little Rock, Ark., native finished the season with 26 passing touchdowns, tops in both the OUA and U Sports. He also recorded 501 rushing yards, leading all quarterbacks in the OUA and U Sports, and helped guide Windsor to its third OUA semifinal appearance in four years. Cotton said he hopes to play in the Canadian Football League in the future. Wide receiver Colby Ginn was among the biggest beneficiaries of Cotton’s success, setting a Lancers single-season record with 10 touchdown receptions while recording 707 receiving yards in seven games. “Just knowing I could throw it up there and he would catch it for me, I feel like that’s any quarterback’s dream, just have that receiver they can rely on,” Cotton said. Cotton said the award reflects the work he has put in throughout his football career. “The award just shows my journey and just how far I’ve come. It’s a blessing, honestly,” he said. The recognition comes as Windsor set a program record with 11 student-athletes named OUA all-stars. Named first-team all-stars were Cotton, Ginn, defensive tackle Braxton Johnson and defensive end Ahmad Taylor. Second-team all-star honours went to running back Tyson Noel Charles, tight end Matteo Trifon, offensive tackle Daniel Dove, offensive guard Tommy Leavens, defensive tackle Melyk George and linebacker Derek Anderson. Kicker Alex Patrinos was named to the OUA all-rookie team.
