{
    "title": "139 FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS FORM 2026 ROOKIE CLASS",
    "modified_at": "2026-10-07 13:53:31",
    "published_at": "2026-10-08 11:00:00",
    "url": "https://press.cfl.ca/139-first-year-players-form-2026-rookie-class",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/psge",
    "culture": "en",
    "language": "EN",
    "subtitle": "Teams and media members to vote for Most Outstanding Rookie",
    "slug": "139-first-year-players-form-2026-rookie-class",
    "body": "\n    <figure\n        class=\"release-content-image release-content-image--contained release-content-image--align-center\"\n        data-component=\"image-zoom-popup\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-selector=\".release-content-image__image\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-i18n=\"data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0=\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-views-event=\"Story Image View\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event=\"Story Image Download\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-placement=\"content\"\n    >\n        <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover\" style=\"width: 100%\">\n            <img\n                src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/24359ea9-62b9-42a4-a958-98ce167a38a7/-/format/auto/\"\n                                class=\"release-content-image__image image-thumbnail-rollover__image\"\n                data-description=\"\"\n                id=\"image-24359ea9-62b9-42a4-a958-98ce167a38a7\"\n                data-id=\"24359ea9-62b9-42a4-a958-98ce167a38a7\"\n                data-original=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/24359ea9-62b9-42a4-a958-98ce167a38a7/-/inline/no/Rook+cover.jpg\"\n                data-mfp-src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/24359ea9-62b9-42a4-a958-98ce167a38a7/-/format/auto/\"\n                alt=\"Story image\"\n            />\n            <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover__caption\">\n                <svg class=\"icon icon-expand image-thumbnail-rollover__caption-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-expand\"></use>\n            </svg>            </div>\n        </div>\n\n        <figcaption class=\"release-content-image__caption\"></figcaption>\n    </figure>\n<p><strong>TORONTO (October 8, 2026)</strong> &ndash; The Canadian Football League&rsquo;s (CFL) Most Outstanding Rookie award will come down to a class of 139 first-year players. The recipient is voted on by the nine teams, and the local and national voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC).</p><p>In lieu of a traditional awards ceremony, the CFL will introduce a fresh new approach to recognizing award winners. Recipients will be honoured through special surprise presentations as the season draws to a close and during the postseason, creating more personal and intimate moments to celebrate players&rsquo; outstanding seasons. The moments will be shared online, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the people and stories behind the statistics and accomplishments.</p><p>Players must satisfy all the following criteria to be eligible for Most Outstanding Rookie:</p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Named to the active 45-man roster of a CFL member club for a regular season game during the 2026 season</span></li><li><span>Never dressed for a CFL member club in the regular season, postseason or championship game in any prior season</span></li><li><span>Never dressed for a National Football League member club in the regular season, postseason or championship game in any prior season</span></li></ul><p><strong>PREVIOUS FIVE MOST OUTSTANDING ROOKIES </strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>2025 | Trey Vaval (WPG)</span></li><li><span>2024 | Nick Anderson (EDM)</span></li><li><span>2023 | Qwan&rsquo;tez Stiggers (TOR)</span></li><li><span>2022 | Dalton Schoen (WPG)</span></li><li><span>2021 | Jordan Williams (BC)</span></li></ul><p><strong>2026 ROOKIE CLASS</strong><br>\u200b(Name | POS | School/Team)</p><p>Note: Rookies that have been released are not included.</p><p><strong>BC LIONS</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Bailey, Emani | RB | Texas Christian</span></li><li><span>Bolden, Silas | WR | Texas</span></li><li><span>Cenacle, Nick | WR | Hawaii</span></li><li><span>DeMontagnac, Nate | WR | North Dakota</span></li><li><span>Goforth, Ralen | LB | Washington</span></li><li><span>Gusta, David | DL | Kentucky</span></li><li><span>Henning, Chase | LB | UBC</span></li><li><span>Kemeni, Pierre Jr. | DB | Ohio</span></li><li><span>McKenna, Parker | LB | Washington State</span></li><li><span>Russell, Tyson | DB | Vanderbilt</span></li><li><span>Salter, Kaidon | QB | Liberty</span></li><li><span>Spatny, Matt | DL | Lehigh</span></li><li><span>Taylor, Colby | DL | West Florida</span></li><li><span>Walker-Hunt, Tyran | OL | Old Dominion</span></li><li><span>Williams, Jaden | WR | Texas State</span></li></ul><p><strong>EDMONTON ELKS</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Bastone, Carmine | DL | Northwestern</span></li><li><span>Carter, Cameron | OL | Murray State</span></li><li><span>Cooper, Joe | OL | Slippery Rock</span></li><li><span>Djabome, Dariel | LB | Rutgers</span></li><li><span>Kettyle, Carter | WR | Alberta</span></li><li><span>Luther, T.J. | WR | Gardner-Webb</span></li><li><span>Meyer, Gavin | DL | Southern California</span></li><li><span>Pace, Justin | LB | Queen&#039;s</span></li><li><span>Pashula, Chris | OL | Calgary</span></li><li><span>Powell, ShunDerrick | RB | Central Arkansas</span></li><li><span>Reid, Terez | DB | Florida Atlantic</span></li><li><span>Sangmuah, Benjamin | DB | University of British Columbia</span></li><li><span>Tennison, Ladarius | DB | Central Florida</span></li></ul><p><strong>CALGARY STAMPEDERS</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Alexander, Zy | DB | Louisiana State</span></li><li><span>Ashmore, Bradley | OL | Vanderbilt</span></li><li><span>Coly, Bakyne | OL | Purdue</span></li><li><span>Frazier, Savio | DL | Miami (Ohio)</span></li><li><span>Grzesiak, Daniel | DL | Cincinnati</span></li><li><span>Haie, Anton | DB | Laval</span></li><li><span>Hills, Elijah | DL | Wisconsin</span></li><li><span>Hunter, Jeremiah | WR | Washington</span></li><li><span>Manns, Khairi | DL | James Madison</span></li><li><span>Marois, Tristan | DL | Colorado</span></li><li><span>Miller-Melancon, Ashton | DB | Queen&#039;s</span></li><li><span>Moten, R.J. | LB | Florida</span></li><li><span>Ojutalayo, Jesulayomi | WR | Wilfrid Laurier</span></li><li><span>Rascoe, Eric | LB | Angelo State</span></li><li><span>Stokman, Matthew | OL | Manitoba</span></li><li><span>Wooldridge, Ben | QB | Louisiana</span></li></ul><p><strong>SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Andersen, Erik | OL | Western</span></li><li><span>Bell, Darius | OL | East Carolina</span></li><li><span>Bell, Malcolm | DB | Michigan State</span></li><li><span>Burgess, James Jr. | DB | Alabama State</span></li><li><span>Chapman, Oscar | P | Auburn</span></li><li><span>Charles, Kendy | DL | Duke</span></li><li><span>Conley, Quali | RB | Arizona</span></li><li><span>Djete, Dylan | WR | Alabama State</span></li><li><span>Evans, Desmond | DL | North Carolina</span></li><li><span>Gbenda, David | LB | Texas</span></li><li><span>Hale, Alex | K | Oklahoma State</span></li><li><span>Hoskins, Liam | DL | Windsor</span></li><li><span>Hughes, Juwuane | DB | Fresno State</span></li><li><span>Johnson, Johnny III | WR | Oregon</span></li><li><span>Oladipo, Seyi Jr. | DB | Boise State</span></li><li><span>Pate, Jaylen | DL | Northwestern</span></li><li><span>Sexton, Mathew | WR | Eastern Michigan</span></li><li><span>Wiebe, Daniel | WR | Saskatchewan</span></li></ul><p><strong>WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Bouliane, Charles-Elliot | LB | Montreal</span></li><li><span>Clark, Brody | LB | York</span></li><li><span>Daniels, Dante | TE | North Carolina State</span></li><li><span>Elgersma, Taylor | QB | Wilfrid Laurier</span></li><li><span>Elsbury, Tyler | OL | Iowa</span></li><li><span>Fletcher, Michael | DT | Appalachian State</span></li><li><span>Gatkuoth, Nuer | DE | Wake Forest</span></li><li><span>Hazen, Dylan | LB | Wake Forest</span></li><li><span>Reese, David | DE | Syracuse</span></li><li><span>Singer, Dorian | WR | Utah</span></li><li><span>Stuart, Ethan | DB | McMaster</span></li><li><span>Texada, Ridge | DB | North Texas</span></li><li><span>Williams, Major | DB | Carson-Newman</span></li><li><span>Womack, Kenneth | WR | Western Michigan</span></li></ul><p><strong>HAMILTON TIGER-CATS</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Benton, De&rsquo;Jon | DL | Hawaii</span></li><li><span>Biggins, Nahree | RB | Central Michigan</span></li><li><span>Cromwell, Devynn | DB | Michigan State</span></li><li><span>Crook, Jordan | LB | Arizona State</span></li><li><span>Denis, Jonathan | OL | Louisiana Tech</span></li><li><span>Gagn&eacute;, Lo&iuml;k | LB | Concordia</span></li><li><span>Hayes, Kaleb | DB | Brigham Young</span></li><li><span>Mang, Maximilian | TE | Syracuse</span></li><li><span>McCarthy, Mitch | P | Indiana</span></li><li><span>Nitychoruk, Jake | DB | Manitoba</span></li><li><span>Notice, Aamarii | DL | Coastal Carolina</span></li><li><span>Swartout, Brayden | OL | Central Michigan</span></li><li><span>Szeman, Brayden | OL | Calgary</span></li></ul><p><strong>TORONTO ARGONAUTS</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Arnold, Akili | DB | Southern California</span></li><li><span>Bell, Jalen | DL | Memphis</span></li><li><span>Bland, Desmond | OL | West Florida</span></li><li><span>Burnip, James | P | Alabama</span></li><li><span>Ceasar, James | DB | Southern Illinois</span></li><li><span>Davis, Solomon | WR | Central Michigan</span></li><li><span>Gauthier, Louis-Philippe | DB | Montreal</span></li><li><span>Goss, Owen | LB | Arizona</span></li><li><span>Hickey, Dathan | DB | Youngstown State</span></li><li><span>Hicks, Sam | RB | Abilene Christian</span></li><li><span>John, Ethan | DB | Windsor</span></li><li><span>Jones, Qualan | RB | Stephen F. Austin</span></li><li><span>Kahmann, Tyler | WR | Emporia State</span></li><li><span>Maisonneuve, Gabriel | DL | Montreal</span></li><li><span>McKenzie, Darius | LB | South Alabama</span></li><li><span>Miller, Dymere | WR | Rutgers</span></li><li><span>Neal, James | LB | Texas State</span></li><li><span>Parsalidis, Sebastian | FB | Wilfrid Laurier</span></li><li><span>Piazza, Domenico | OL | McGill</span></li><li><span>Rayam, Jalen | LB | UTEP</span></li><li><span>Ready, Tristan | WR | Carleton</span></li><li><span>Reimer, Rush | OL | California</span></li><li><span>Shand, Paris | DL | Louisiana State</span></li><li><span>Smith, Isaiah | RB | Guelph</span></li><li><span>Teubner, Alexander | LB | Boise State</span></li><li><span>Toia, Soane | DL | San Jose State</span></li><li><span>Ulm, Nolan | WR | Eastern Washington</span></li><li><span>Vreugdenhil, Frank | OL | McMaster</span></li></ul><p><strong>OTTAWA REDBLACKS</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Barlev, Zachary | OT | Old Dominion</span></li><li><span>Barnes, Marcus | DB | William &amp; Mary</span></li><li><span>Briggs, Dennis Jr. | DT | Illinois</span></li><li><span>Connors, Josh | LB | Wilfrid Laurier</span></li><li><span>Diouf, Alassane | OG | Montreal</span></li><li><span>Dobson, Benjamin | LB | Calgary</span></li><li><span>Jordan, Ethan | WR | Wilfrid Laurier</span></li><li><span>Lucien, Jeremy | DB | Vanderbilt</span></li><li><span>McDonald, Cade | WR | Miami (Ohio)</span></li><li><span>Parks, Charlie | DE | Saskatchewan</span></li><li><span>Pearl, Julian | OT | Illinois</span></li><li><span>Spencer, Lucus | LS | Bishop&#039;s</span></li><li><span>Stafford, Jelani | DT | Connecticut</span></li><li><span>Tezino, Kyahva | LB | San Diego State</span></li><li><span>Vaccaro, Giordano | OG | Purdue</span></li></ul><p><strong>MONTREAL ALOUETTES</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Guy, TJ | DL | Michigan</span></li><li><span>Jones, Rohan | TE | Arkansas</span></li><li><span>Louis, Shakespeare | DB | Southeastern Louisiana</span></li><li><span>Manuel, Donovan | LB | Florida International</span></li><li><span>Mews, Mekhi | WR | Houston</span></li><li><span>Sutherland, Jonathan | DB | Penn State</span></li><li><span>Talbot, Liam | RB | Windsor</span></li></ul><div class=\"release-content-contact\" id=\"contact-8c7e567c-0efe-4478-8316-e135f707abb4\">\n    \n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__details\">\n        <strong class=\"release-content-contact__name\">Lucas Barrett</strong>\n        <em class=\"release-content-contact__description\">Associate Vice-President, Communications &amp; Public Affairs, Canadian Football League</em>\n        <ul class=\"release-content-contact__details-list\"><li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"mailto:lbarrett@cfl.ca\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"lbarrett@cfl.ca\"><svg class=\"icon icon-paper-plane release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-paper-plane\"></use>\n            </svg>lbarrett@cfl.ca</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"tel:416.802.7852\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"416.802.7852\"><svg class=\"icon icon-phone release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-phone\"></use>\n            </svg>416.802.7852</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"https://twitter.com/LucasBarrett9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"@LucasBarrett9\"><svg class=\"icon icon-twitter release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-twitter\"></use>\n            </svg>@LucasBarrett9</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"http://www.cfl.ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"cfl.ca\"><svg class=\"icon icon-browser release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-browser\"></use>\n            </svg>cfl.ca</a></li></ul>\n    </div>\n</div>",
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