- Bo Levi Mitchell is poised for one more standout season at quarterback: The Tiger-Cats quarterback is coming off a career-high 5,451 passing yards and led the CFL in landing passes (32) and big-time throws (34) in 2024. Now, Kenny Lawler enters an already elite receiving corps, and he’s set to play behind the league’s prime offensive line.
- Brady Oliveira stays the CFL’s premier operating again: The reigning Most Excellent Participant led all backs in total grade (90.4), constantly gaining constructive yardage whereas rating second amongst operating backs in receptions and receiving yards.
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Estimated Studying Time: 7 minutes
The 2025 CFL preseason kicks off Monday, Could 19, with the common season set to start Thursday, June 5.
Earlier than the motion will get underway, we’re highlighting the highest gamers throughout the league with our Preseason All-CFL Group — a snapshot of the league’s standout expertise heading into the brand new marketing campaign.
OFFENSE
QB: BO LEVI MITCHELL, HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Second Group: Vernon Adams Jr., Calgary Stampeders
Mitchell bounced again from a tough 2023 marketing campaign to ship one of many most interesting seasons of his Corridor of Fame-caliber profession in 2024. He set a private greatest with 5,451 passing yards, led the league with 32 landing passes and recorded a CFL-high 34 big-time throws. His 89.5 total grade ranked among the many greatest within the league, incomes him a well-deserved spot as a finalist for Most Excellent Participant, even with restricted group success.
With the CFL’s prime offensive line in entrance of him and the addition of star receiver Kenny Lawler to an already gifted group, Mitchell is well-positioned to submit even greater numbers in 2025.
RB: BRADY OLIVEIRA, WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Second Group: Ka’Deem Carey, Toronto Argonauts
Oliveira was the simplest choice on this preseason All-CFL Group. The reigning Most Excellent Participant has been the premier operating again in Canada for a number of seasons now. In 2024, he led all backs with a 90.4 total grade and posted a league-best 8.2% stuff fee, which means he gained constructive yardage on over 91% of his carries.
Whereas he could not break tackles on the similar clip as a few of his friends, no again within the league constantly drags defenders for additional yards like Oliveira. He’s additionally a significant risk within the passing recreation, as he ranked second amongst operating backs in each receptions and receiving yards final season.
RECEIVER: JUSTIN MCINNIS, BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS
Second Group: Kian Schaffer-Baker, Saskatchewan Roughriders
McInnis exploded in 2024 after a comparatively quiet first 4 CFL seasons, the place he totaled 94 catches for 1,286 yards and 7 touchdowns. Final yr alone, he matched that landing complete and almost doubled his profession yardage, ending with 92 receptions for 1,469 yards.
McInnis led the CFL in receiving grade (81.8), explosive receptions (45) and contested catches (25), and he was considered one of simply 4 certified receivers to common greater than 2.25 yards per route run. Whereas his manufacturing dipped barely following Vernon Adams Jr.’s damage, he nonetheless completed as one of many league’s elite wideouts. With a full offseason to construct chemistry with new quarterback Nathan Rourke, McInnis is well-positioned to stay among the many CFL’s prime go catchers in 2025.
RECEIVER: JUSTIN HARDY, OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Second Group: Tevin Jones, Calgary Stampeders
After 5 seasons within the NFL, Justin Hardy wanted simply three years within the CFL to ascertain himself as one of many league’s premier receivers. In 2024, he earned a 78.8 receiving grade, tied for second-best amongst all wideouts, whereas ending second in each explosive receptions (44) and yards after the catch (461). Although Hardy is now on the older facet, there’s little purpose to anticipate a drop-off, particularly with one other full offseason to construct on his reference to quarterback Dru Brown in Ottawa.
RECEIVER: KENNY LAWLER, HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Second Group: Eugene Lewis, Ottawa Redblacks
Regardless of lacking 10 weeks of the 2024 season, Kenny Lawler nonetheless racked up 47 catches for 865 yards (together with playoffs), showcasing his elite playmaking capacity. His 78.8 receiving grade tied for second amongst all CFL receivers, and his 2.30 yards per route run ranked third. With a staggering 18.4-yard common goal depth, Lawler stays one of many league’s premier deep threats. Now paired with Bo Levi Mitchell — the highest quarterback coming into 2025 — he’s in place for a large bounce-back marketing campaign.
RECEIVER: REGGIE BEGELTON, CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Second Group: Dalton Schoen, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Begelton has quietly been one of many CFL’s most efficient receivers over the previous two seasons. Throughout that span, he averaged 1.92 yards per route run, pressured 41 missed tackles, racked up 908 yards after the catch and earned an 80.3 receiving grade — all rating inside the highest 5 leaguewide.
He achieved all of that regardless of working with subpar quarterback play. Now, with Vernon Adams Jr. below heart, Begelton is poised for an excellent greater 2025 marketing campaign.
RECEIVER: TYSON PHILPOT, MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Second Group: Shemar Bridges, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Earlier than a fluke foot damage ended his season in early August, Philpot was in the course of a large breakout marketing campaign. He was on tempo for 116 catches, 1,572 yards and 10 touchdowns, all of which might have led the league. His 22 missed tackles pressured ranked fourth regardless of enjoying in simply eight full video games.
The Montreal receiver averaged 2.32 yards per route run and 6.4 yards after the catch per reception, each the best marks within the league amongst receivers with not less than 300 snaps. He ought to be capable to decide up proper the place he left off as one of many CFL’s most harmful playmakers with the ball in his palms.
LT: MARTEZ IVEY, EDMONTON ELKS
Second Group: Ryan Hunter, Toronto Argonauts
Ivey has lengthy been one of many CFL’s prime run blockers, however 2024 marked his greatest season in go safety as effectively. He didn’t permit a single sack and posted a 97.8 pass-blocking effectivity rating. He additionally led the league by a large margin with an 85.7 run-block grade. If Ivey can preserve that dominance within the run recreation whereas persevering with to progress as a go protector, he’ll be firmly within the dialog for greatest offensive lineman within the league.
LG: PIER-OLIVIER LESTAGE, MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Second Group: Brandon Revenberg, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Lestage was our decide for Most Excellent Offensive Lineman final yr after dominating in each run and go blocking. He was the one offensive lineman to earn grades above 75.0 in each classes. Over the previous two seasons, he’s misplaced simply 5.5% of his true pass-blocking units. Nonetheless solely 27, Lestage is squarely in his prime and will stay a fixture in any dialog in regards to the CFL’s prime offensive linemen.
C: JUSTIN LAWRENCE, MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Second Group: David Beard, Edmonton Elks
Lawrence delivered a standout 2024 season, main all centres with a 73.3 total grade. He was the CFL’s prime pass-blocking centre, permitting only one sack and 17 complete pressures on the way in which to an 82.6 pass-blocking grade — the best amongst all inside linemen. He additionally held his personal within the run recreation with a stable 67.8 grade. Nonetheless in his prime, Lawrence is poised for one more sturdy yr anchoring the Alouettes’ offensive line.
RG: MARK KORTE, EDMONTON ELKS
Second Group: Dariusz Bladek, Ottawa Redblacks
The Elks signed David Beard this offseason, and he’s anticipated to take over at centre, which might shift Mark Korte — Edmonton’s centre the previous two years — again to protect. It’s the identical setup the group utilized in 2022 when Beard was final with the Elks. Korte impressed in go safety final season, permitting only one sack and 24 complete pressures on 619 true pass-blocking units. He’s a reliable run blocker too and, at 28, ought to stay a key piece on one of many CFL’s greatest offensive strains.
RT: DEJON ALLEN, BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS
Second Group: Joshua Coker, Calgary Stampeders
No offensive lineman within the CFL has matched Dejon Allen’s pass-blocking consistency over the previous two seasons. The 2023 Most Excellent Offensive Lineman has allowed simply 41 pressures on 1,062 true pass-blocking snaps for the reason that begin of 2023, whereas his 82.2 pass-blocking grade over that span leads all linemen leaguewide. He’s a dependable run blocker, as effectively.
Now with the Lions after an offseason commerce, Allen is about up for one more standout yr.
DEFENCE
DI: CASEY SAYLES, HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Second Group: Jake Ceresna, Edmonton Elks
Sayles doesn’t get the popularity he deserves, however there’s a powerful case that he’s been the CFL’s greatest inside defender over the previous three seasons. In that span, he ranks first in total grade (91.1) and run stops (67), fourth in complete pressures (151), second in go rush win fee (13.0%) and batted passes (12), and second in complete snaps performed (2,542). Sayles does every part at a excessive degree and barely comes off the sector. He’s a real celebrity.
DI: SHAWN OAKMAN, MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Second Group: Mustafa Johnson, Montreal Alouettes
Oakman’s skilled journey has had its ups and downs, however he’s discovered his stride within the CFL as one of many league’s prime inside defenders. His 24 sacks over the previous three seasons rank third amongst inside linemen, and his 11.5% go rush win fee sits fourth. In 2024, he posted a 15.1% win fee, third-best amongst all defensive linemen. With All-Star caliber teammate Mustafa Johnson now beside him, there’s each purpose to consider Oakman can replicate that degree of manufacturing this season.
EDGE: MALIK CARNEY, SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Second Group: Folarin Orimolade, Calgary Stampeders
Carney constructed on a stable begin to his CFL profession with a breakout 2024 season. He completed because the league’s highest-graded defensive lineman at 86.5 total and was the one participant to submit each a run protection and go rush grade above 80.0. He led the CFL in go rush win fee (17.2%), strain share (15.0%) and go speeding productiveness (9.2), whereas his 7.3% solo run cease fee ranked among the many greatest. With that momentum, Carney is poised for one more huge yr in Saskatchewan.
EDGE: WILLIE JEFFERSON, WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Second Group: Lorenzo Mauldin IV, Ottawa Redblacks
Getting into his eleventh CFL season, Willie Jefferson continues to defy time. He posted the second-highest go speeding grade amongst edge defenders final yr (82.1), racked up 60 pressures (third-most within the league) and ranked seventh in go rush win fee (13.6%). He additionally led the CFL with 11 batted passes — a part of a staggering 37 over the previous three seasons (25 greater than the subsequent closest participant).
Jefferson stays a disruptive pressure, and there’s no purpose to anticipate a drop-off in 2025.
LB: TYRICE BEVERETTE, MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Second Group: Nick Anderson, Edmonton Elks
Beverette was a authentic Most Excellent Participant candidate in 2024 and the unquestioned chief of the Alouettes protection. He excelled in each part — his 69 run tackles ranked fourth within the league, and he led all linebackers with 31 pressures and a 15.0% go rush win fee. In protection, he surrendered only one landing all yr and earned a 63.3 protection grade, seventh amongst linebackers. Beverette is a real three-down pressure and ought to be firmly within the dialog for Most Excellent Defensive Participant once more in 2025.
LB: WYNTON MCMANIS, TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Second Group: Tony Jones, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Whereas Beverette does all of it, Wynton McManis specializes. Nobody covers higher.
His run protection was stable, and he not often rushed the passer, however in protection, he stood alone. McManis earned a league-best 92.7 protection grade final season, permitting simply 44 completions on 54 targets, with solely 10 going for first downs. He added three interceptions, 4 go breakups and led the league with 17 solo stops in protection. McManis isn’t just the CFL’s prime protection linebacker, he is likely to be the perfect protection defender, interval.
SAM LB: ADARIUS PICKETT, OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Second Group: Redha Kramdi, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Pickett has been one of many CFL’s prime SAM linebackers for 3 seasons now. Final yr, he gave up simply 29 receptions and one landing on 404 protection snaps, breaking apart 4 passes and permitting a league-best 0.68 yards per protection snap amongst cowl linebackers. He additionally posted an 87.7 run protection grade, third-best within the league. Pickett stays the anchor of Ottawa’s protection and one of many CFL’s most well-rounded defenders.
HB: ROLAN MILLIGAN, SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Second Group: Ciante Evans, Toronto Argonauts
In fact Milligan makes the checklist. The reigning Most Excellent Defensive Participant was dominant in 2024, ending with a 90.8 protection grade, second-best within the league. He allowed simply 19 first downs or touchdowns on 720 protection snaps, intercepted 9 passes, and broke up 12 extra. His 0.67 yards allowed per protection snap was among the many greatest marks for any halfback, and his 14 solo stops in protection led the league. Milligan additionally added an 82.9 run protection grade. He was the CFL’s prime defender final season and reveals no indicators of slowing down.
HB: REGGIE STUBBLEFIELD, HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Second Group: Damon Webb, Calgary Stampeders
This choice entails some projection, as Stubblefield missed almost all of final season after struggling an damage in Week 1. Nonetheless, his 2023 marketing campaign was too dominant to miss. That yr, he was focused 52 instances and allowed simply 23 catches for 213 yards, no touchdowns and solely 9 first downs. He recorded three interceptions and 14 go breakups. Quarterbacks posted a passer score of simply 32.0 when concentrating on him, decrease than if they’d thrown the ball away on each play (39.6). If he can return to even 80% of that kind, Stubblefield ought to once more be one of many CFL’s elite defenders.
CB: TYRELL FORD, EDMONTON ELKS
Second Group: Marcus Sayles, Saskatchewan Roughriders
What a season it was for Tyrell Ford. No defensive again within the league matched his dominance on the catch level. The Canadian led all defenders with a 92.0 protection grade and was focused 101 instances, but he allowed simply 53 receptions and 31 first downs or touchdowns. He intercepted seven passes and broke up an astounding 22 extra, essentially the most within the league by a large margin. His open goal share of 40.6% ranked fourth-lowest amongst exterior corners.
Ford isn’t only a boom-or-bust ballhawk — he’s one of many CFL’s premier protection defenders with an elite really feel for disrupting throws.
CB: GARRY PETERS, BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS
CB: Second Group: Kabion Ento, Montreal Alouettes
Peters didn’t submit the gaudiest counting stats final season, however that’s largely as a result of quarterbacks averted him altogether. On 666 protection snaps, he was focused simply 42 instances, the fewest amongst any beginning nook. He allowed solely 25 receptions and simply 12 first downs or touchdowns, breaking apart 11 passes alongside the way in which. His 0.45 yards allowed per protection snap led all CFL corners.
Peters has quietly been the league’s most constant shutdown nook over the previous three seasons, and there’s no purpose to assume that modifications in 2025.
S: STAVROS KATSANTONIS, HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Second Group: Royce Metchie, Edmonton Elks
Taking part in free security within the CFL is among the hardest jobs in soccer — the large subject creates large tasks in protection. Nobody dealt with it higher final season than Stavros Katsantonis. He led all safeties with a 76.8 defensive grade, permitting only one landing as the first protection defender whereas forcing eight incompletions and choosing off one go. He additionally contributed 30 tackles within the run recreation. Katsantonis has proven regular enchancment annually of his profession, and at 28, he’s coming into his prime as one of many league’s premier safeties.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Okay: RENE PAREDES, CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Second Group: Sergio Castillo, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Rene Paredes has been the CFL’s most constant and elite kicker for 3 straight seasons. He earned the best kicking grade in 2024 (96.3), 2023 (96.6) and 2022 (93.4), a exceptional stretch of sustained excellence. Final season, he was 23-for-25 on subject targets from past 40 yards — the perfect mark within the league. Merely put, Paredes stays the gold customary for kickers within the CFL.
P: CODY GRACE, EDMONTON ELKS
Second Group: Nikolas Constantinou, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Elks misplaced Jake Julien to the NFL following one of many best punting seasons in CFL historical past, however they wasted no time securing a top-tier substitute in Cody Grace. Whereas Grace doesn’t possess the uncooked leg energy of a few of his friends, his precision is unmatched. The previous Stampeder led the league with 33 punts downed contained in the 20-yard line in 2024 and has been the CFL’s most correct punter over the previous three seasons.
KR: DEVONTE DEDMON, OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Second Group: James Letcher Jr., Montreal Alouettes
Dedmon was the CFL’s prime kick returner in 2024, ending with a league-leading 90.8 particular groups grade. He additionally led the league with a 27.1-yard common per return and compelled a CFL-best 26 missed tackles on kickoffs. One in every of simply three gamers to return a kickoff for a landing final season, Dedmon stays one of many league’s most harmful weapons within the return recreation.
PR: JANARION GRANT, TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Second Group: James Letcher Jr., Montreal Alouettes
Grant stays the CFL’s premier punt returner, and there’s no purpose to anticipate a drop-off in 2025. He led the league final season with a 13.4-yard punt return common and located the top zone 4 instances — essentially the most punt return touchdowns in a single season. Over the previous three years, he’s scored 11 return touchdowns, additional cementing his standing as some of the harmful returners in CFL historical past.
Particular Groups: A.J. ALLEN, SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Second Group: Jack Cassar, Toronto Argonauts
Allen performed the fourth-most particular groups snaps within the league final yr at 453 and made 29 complete tackles. He completed with a 90.7 particular groups grade, the best grade amongst any participant to play greater than 300 particular groups snaps.
