One of the Okanagan Sun's leaders on defense in 2015 is taking his game to the next level.

Linebacker Keagan Hughes, 19, will join the Bishop's University Gators in Sherbrooke, QB for the 2016 CIS season.

A graduate of Mt. Boucherie secondary, Hughes led the Sun last season with 87.5 defensive points on 33 tackles, six assisted stops, half a sack, two blocked kicks, two knockdowns and one forced fumble.

He was at his best in his final game of junior, the Canadian Bowl, last November in Saskatoon. Hughes tallied a game high nine solo tackles and assisted on eight others.

In three playoff games, he totalled a team-leading  19 tackles.

Hughes is excited for the next step in his career and education.

"Bishop's really has everything I have been waiting to find in a university.  They have a small campus in a close knit community. They offer a great combination of football and academics," Hughes said.

"When Bishop's invited me for a visit, and I got to know the other player and coaching staff. They are a great group of guys with a ton of talent. I couldn鈥檛 resist their offer. I鈥檓 excited to spend my next five years playing in Quebec and earning my degree in Sports Studies.鈥�

Hughes not only excelled on the field in 2015, but was also a regular volunteer for team community events.