Elic Ayomanor Wins the Prestigious 2023 Jon Cornish Trophy
MEDICINE HAT NATIVE BURST INTO LEADER AT STANFORD IN 2023
VANCOUVER – The Jon Cornish Trophy Selection Committee is delighted to announce Elic Ayomanor, the outstanding wide receiver for the Stanford Cardinal, as the recipient of the 2023 Jon Cornish Trophy. This esteemed award recognizes the top Canadian player in NCAA football each year, celebrating outstanding play at the top collegiate level.
Ayomanor, a Medicine Hat, Alberta sophomore, has made an indelible mark in the 2023 season. His exceptional athleticism, standing at 6’2”/210, was evident in his significant contribution to Stanford’s offence. Ayomanor completed the season with a notable 62 receptions for 1,013 yards and six touchdowns, ranking fifth in the Pac-12 for receiving yards. His record-setting performance against Colorado, where he amassed 294 receiving yards and three touchdowns, was a highlight of his season.
“That game was obviously a big boost to my confidence,” Ayomanor said of the school record set against Colorado.
“Other than that, I don’t think it changed much about me. I still go about my process the same way. I’m very detailed and intentional with what I do, so having one good game doesn’t change what I do.”
Ayomanor’s athletic journey is remarkable. While he started playing hockey at seven, like most kids in the Medicine Hat area, he discovered his true athletic calling just a few years later.
“I started playing football when I was around 10 or 11, “ Ayomanor said. “I fell in love with football and decided to hang up the skates and do football full time.”
Beginning at Medicine Hat High School, then transferring to Peddie School in New Jersey, and finally completing his high school at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts, Ayomanor excelled in football and as a star track athlete. His achievements garnered him scholarship offers from top-tier programs, including Stanford, Notre Dame, California, Tennessee, and Ole Miss.
Ayomanor chose one of America’s leading academic institutions over schools where football is a central part of the brand, and he does not regret his choice.
“Attending Stanford goes beyond an educational opportunity; it’s a life-changing opportunity that goes beyond education,” Ayomanor said.
“You have to have a different type of mindset to come here. You have to be a very disciplined person to be here, and I think that translates well to (getting to) the NFL.”
The final vote of the five finalists:
1. Elic Ayomanor, So. WR Stanford Medicine Hat, AB 25
2. Geoffrey Cantin-Arku, Sr. LB Memphis Levis, QC 18
3. Kurtis Rourke, Gr. QB Ohio Oakville, ON 16
4. Tanner McLachlan, Sr. TE Arizona Lethbridge, AB 14
5. Jett Elad, Jr. DB UNLV Mississauga, ON 5
As well, five athletes were selected Honourable Mention:
Nuer Gatkouth, Fr. DL, Colorado State, Edmonton, AB; Ty Benefield, Fr. DB, Boise State, Vancouver, BC; Nolan Ulm, Jr. WR, Eastern Washington, Kelowna, BC; Melique Straker, Sr. LB, Arkansas State, Brampton, ON; Isaiah Adams, Sr. OL, Illinois, Ajax, Ontario.
The Jon Cornish Trophy, named after the Canadian football legend Jon Cornish, underscores the significant impact of Canadian athletes in NCAA football. Past recipients of this prestigious award include:
– 2017: Nathan Rourke, Quarterback, Ohio University, Oakville, Ontario
– 2018: Nathan Rourke, Quarterback, Ohio University, Oakville, Ontario
– 2019: Chuba Hubbard, Running Back, Oklahoma State, Sherwood Park, Alberta
– 2020: John Metchie III, Wide Receiver, Alabama, Brampton, Ontario
– 2021: John Metchie III, Wide Receiver, Alabama, Brampton, Ontario
– 2022: Chase Brown, Running Back, Illinois, London, Ontario
– 2023: Elic Ayomanor, Wide Receiver, Stanford, Medicine Hat, Alberta
Elic Ayomanor’s win is a testament to the exceptional talent and dedication of the 176 Canadian athletes in NCAA Division 1. We proudly celebrate his extraordinary achievements in college football.
For More Information Please Contact:
Jim Mullin
Co-Chair
The Jon Cornish Trophy Selection Committee &
President
Football Canada
T: 778-996-7398
About the Jon Cornish Trophy:
The Jon Cornish Trophy is an annual award recognizing the top Canadian player in NCAA football. Named after Canadian Football Hall of Famer Jon Cornish, the trophy has been presented since 2017 and was created by Jim Mullin and L. David Dube. The trophy itself, which is 40″ high and weighs 180 pounds, is on permanent display at the Canadian Football Hall of Fame (CFHOF). It features an image of Jon Cornish during the season he won the Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s most outstanding athlete.
