Standout first year in the OUA for Londoner Emmett Charles
It’s still a little early to be thinking about OUA football award winners, but if and when you do, think about Emmett Charles.
The first-year receiver for the Western Mustangs has put together a rare season for a player just making his way in the OUA.
It can be hard to get on the field in year one, but Mustangs head coach Michael Faulds let youth infuse his lineup on both sides of the ball in 2026. Very few players have stepped into stardom like Charles.
His ability was already well known in London. Charles starred for the Banting Broncos throughout high school as a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track and field, and he was named the Broncos’ MVP in all three.
He also won the Thames Valley Region SPECTRA award, which recognizes sportsmanship, participation, character, teamwork and achievement.
Right now, he’s best known as a matchup nightmare for opposing defences.
Charles’ 12 touchdowns led the entire OUA in the regular season. Consider this: he didn’t score his first TD until Week 2.
“I remember against Windsor, fourth quarter, late in the game [and it was] a goal-line fade and a good ball from [then starting QB] Jerome [Rancourt]. It was pretty special for me,” Charles says.
Things ignited from there.
That lone touchdown in the first two weeks turned into 11 more over the final six games.
Charles had two three-touchdown games and 783 receiving yards, second in the league behind only Ryan Hughes of the Laurier Golden Hawks. He was also second in yards per catch at 22.4 and fourth in receptions with 35.
Those numbers could give him a lock on the Norm Marshall Award as OUA Rookie of the Year.
They might even put Charles in the conversation for the Larry Haylor Award as OUA MVP, although receivers rarely win it.
Kurleigh Gittens Jr. did it at Laurier in 2016, and former Mustang Andy Fantuz won as a receiver in 2005.
Charles has simply focused on this season and on getting better every week.
“I think I know so much more about football now,” Charles says. “In high school, I was kind of just playing based on my athletics, but I think I have a much better understanding of the game [now]. I’ve just learned how to become a better football player here. We have great coaches helping me out.”
Those coaches will lean on Charles again this week.
Western opens the OUA playoffs with a rematch against the Laurier Golden Hawks, who beat the Mustangs in the regular-season finale on Oct. 24.
Charles caught five passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns in that game.
How is he feeling going in?
“So pumped. I know all the guys are pumped.”
A raised level from Charles could mean a very big day for the Mustangs when the post-season begins on Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31, at 1 p.m. at Western Alumni Stadium.