Canadian Football League (CFL) Preseason All-Star Team
The excitement surrounding the Canadian Football League (CFL) is palpable as the 2025 preseason approaches! With the regular season kicking off on Thursday, June 5, let’s dive into the standout players from across the league who are making waves and creating buzz ahead of the new campaign. 🌟
Bo Levi Mitchell: A Quarterback to Watch 🏈
Position: Quarterback
Team: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Mitchell is gearing up for another impressive season at quarterback. Coming off a record-breaking year in 2024, he threw for a staggering 5,451 yards, leading the league with 32 touchdown passes and a remarkable 34 big-time throws. With elite receiver Kenny Lawler joining an already stellar receiving group, and the benefit of the league's top offensive line, Mitchell is well-prepared to elevate his performance even further in 2025.
Brady Oliveira: The Leading Running Back 🏃♂️
Position: Running Back
Team: Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Crowned as the Most Outstanding Player last season, Oliveira continues to shine as the CFL’s premier running back. His remarkable overall grade of 90.4 solidifies his position, as he leads all running backs in positive yardage and ranks second in both receptions and receiving yards. With a powerhouse performance behind him, Oliveira is set to electrify fans anew as the season unfolds.
OFFENSE: Preseason All-Star Team
Quarterback: Bo Levi Mitchell (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
Second Team: Vernon Adams Jr. (Calgary Stampeders)
Mitchell's outstanding performance in 2024, coupled with a fantastic offensive line and the addition of a top receiver, makes him a standout choice for this year's team.
Running Back: Brady Oliveira (Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Second Team: Ka’Deem Carey (Toronto Argonauts)
With consistent positive yardage and a dual-threat capability, Oliveira exemplifies what a top running back should be.
Receiver: Justin McInnis (British Columbia Lions)
Second Team: Kian Schaffer-Baker (Saskatchewan Roughriders)
McInnis had a breakout season, showcasing impressive statistics with 92 receptions for 1,469 yards last year, and he’s expected to maintain that momentum in 2025.
Receiver: Justin Hardy (Ottawa Redblacks)
Second Team: Tevin Jones (Calgary Stampeders)
After establishing himself in the league, Hardy's incredible connection with quarterback Dru Brown positions him for success this upcoming season.
Receiver: Kenny Lawler (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
Second Team: Eugene Lewis (Ottawa Redblacks)
Even with a shortened season in 2024, Lawler proved to be a dynamic player. His impressive average target depth and strong catches make him a prime candidate for a comeback year.
Receiver: Reggie Begelton (Calgary Stampeders)
Second Team: Dalton Schoen (Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Begelton’s silent productivity over the past two seasons is hard to miss. With a new quarterback in Vernon Adams Jr., his potential for greater achievements seems promising.
Receiver: Tyson Philpot (Montreal Alouettes)
Second Team: Shemar Bridges (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
Before his injury last season, Philpot was on a record-breaking trajectory, and expectations are high for him to make a thrilling return.
Offensive Line
Left Tackle: Martez Ivey (Edmonton Elks)
Second Team: Ryan Hunter (Toronto Argonauts)
Ivey is a dominant force in the run game and showed major improvement in pass protection last season.
Left Guard: Pier-Olivier Lestage (Montreal Alouettes)
Second Team: Brandon Revenberg (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
A consistent performer, Lestage is recognized for his excellence in both running and passing scenarios.
Center: Justin Lawrence (Montreal Alouettes)
Second Team: David Beard (Edmonton Elks)
Lawrence brings exceptional skills to the center position, consistently acting as an anchor for the Alouettes’ offensive line.
Right Guard: Mark Korte (Edmonton Elks)
Second Team: Dariusz Bladek (Ottawa Redblacks)
Korte’s solid pass-blocking capabilities and strong run blocking make him an integral part of Edmonton's offensive success.
Right Tackle: Dejon Allen (British Columbia Lions)
Second Team: Joshua Coker (Calgary Stampeders)
Allen's consistent performance over the past two seasons places him among the league's elite offensive linemen.
DEFENSE: Preseason All-Star Team
Defensive Interior: Casey Sayles (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
Second Team: Jake Ceresna (Edmonton Elks)
Sayles has quietly become a formidable presence on the field, demonstrating consistent performance over the past three seasons.
Defensive Interior: Shawn Oakman (Montreal Alouettes)
Second Team: Mustafa Johnson (Montreal Alouettes)
Oakman's evolution into one of the top interior defenders in the CFL has been noteworthy, and he enters the season with high expectations.
Edge: Malik Carney (Saskatchewan Roughriders)
Second Team: Folarin Orimolade (Calgary Stampeders)
Carney's outstanding metrics position him as a critical player for the Roughriders as they gear up for the upcoming season.
Edge: Willie Jefferson (Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Second Team: Lorenzo Mauldin IV (Ottawa Redblacks)
Jefferson's relentless play keeps him a formidable opponent, and his performance last year solidified his reputation as a game-changer on the field.
Linebacker: Tyrice Beverette (Montreal Alouettes)
Second Team: Nick Anderson (Edmonton Elks)
Beverette demonstrated elite ability in all aspects of his game last year, and he’ll be a driving force within the Alouettes’ defensive strategy.
Linebacker: Wynton McManis (Toronto Argonauts)
Second Team: Tony Jones (Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Renowned for his coverage skills, McManis is a standout defender, making him a key player to watch this season.
SAM Linebacker: Adarius Pickett (Ottawa Redblacks)
Second Team: Redha Kramdi (Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Pickett's proficiency as a top SAM linebacker remains impressive, showcasing his outstanding skill set in coverage and run defense.
Halfback: Rolan Milligan (Saskatchewan Roughriders)
Second Team: Ciante Evans (Toronto Argonauts)
Milligan's incredible statistics last season affirm his position as a top and dominant defender.
Halfback: Reggie Stubblefield (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
Second Team: Damon Webb (Calgary Stampeders)
Though Stubblefield faced an injury setback last season, his past performance hints at a bright future should he return to form.
Cornerback: Tyrell Ford (Edmonton Elks)
Second Team: Marcus Sayles (Saskatchewan Roughriders)
Ford's impressive coverage stats from last season make him a crucial player in the Elks' defensive lineup.
Cornerback: Garry Peters (British Columbia Lions)
Second Team: Kabion Ento (Montreal Alouettes)
Peters’ effectiveness in coverage has made him one of the most consistent cornerbacks in the league over the years.
Safety: Stavros Katsantonis (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
Second Team: Royce Metchie (Edmonton Elks)
Katsantonis showcases expertise in tackling and coverage that elevates him to premier status among safeties this season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker: Rene Paredes (Calgary Stampeders)
Second Team: Sergio Castillo (Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Paredes continues to set the gold standard for kickers, showcasing remarkable precision and consistency in his performances.
Punter: Cody Grace (Edmonton Elks)
Second Team: Nikolas Constantinou (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
Grace’s accuracy makes him an integral part of Edmonton's strategy as he steps into a significant role this season.
Kick Returner: Devonte Dedmon (Ottawa Redblacks)
Second Team: James Letcher Jr. (Montreal Alouettes)
Dedmon remains a thrilling player in return scenarios, showing electrifying ability that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
Punt Returner: Janarion Grant (Toronto Argonauts)
Second Team: James Letcher Jr. (Montreal Alouettes)
Grant's electric playing style positions him as one of the premier punt returners, with impressive stats solidifying his legacy.
The stage is set for an exhilarating 2025 CFL season filled with incredible talent and stories! Fans are eagerly waiting to see which players will shine the brightest as the competition heats up. 🏆🏈✨