Stampeders select receiver Damien Alford with top pick of CFL draft
The Calgary Stampeders made a bold move by selecting receiver Damien Alford as the first overall pick in the CFL draft on Tuesday night. Alford, hailing from Montreal, transferred to Utah after a successful stint at Syracuse University, where he showcased his skills with 67 catches for 1,291 yards. Despite only appearing in four games with Utah last season, the six-foot-five, 224-pound receiver impressed scouts with his combination of size and speed, boasting a 4.46-second 40-yard dash time.
The Stampeders identified a need for a receiver after Cole Tucker retired during the off-season, making Alford the ideal choice to fill that void. This selection marked the first of four picks Calgary had in the first 20 selections of the draft, signaling their commitment to strengthening their roster.
Calgary earned the top pick after finishing last in the CFL standings with a disappointing 5-12-1 record, missing the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats followed suit by selecting Windsor linebacker Devin Veresuk as the second overall pick. Veresuk, a six-foot-two, 240-pound player from Windsor, Ontario, showcased his talent with 160 tackles, nine sacks, and an interception during his time at Windsor University.
The Ottawa Redblacks continued the trend of selecting receivers by choosing Montana’s Keelan White as the third overall pick. White, a six-foot-two, 190-pound standout from North Vancouver, British Columbia, impressed with 161 catches for 1,862 yards and 14 touchdowns during his collegiate career.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders opted for Bowling Green defensive lineman Ali Saad with the fourth overall pick, adding depth to their defensive line. Saad, a six-foot-three, 280-pound player from Windsor, recorded 35 tackles, nine sacks, and four forced fumbles during his college career.
The Montreal Alouettes bolstered their offensive line by selecting UNLV’s Tiger Shanks, a six-foot-five, 325-pound force who started 51 games over four seasons with the Rebels. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers added Wyoming linebacker Connor Shay with the sixth overall pick, while the Grey Cup-champion Toronto Argonauts focused on defense by selecting Montreal defensive lineman Jeremiah Ojo as the seventh pick.
Calgary rounded out the opening round by taking UConn offensive lineman Christopher Fortin, a six-foot-five, 300-pound player from St-Rene, Quebec. Fortin, despite being a one-year starter in college, brings valuable experience from playing in 41 games.
The CFL draft showcased a mix of talented players from various backgrounds, highlighting the league’s commitment to scouting and developing top-tier talent. With the new additions to their rosters, teams are gearing up for an exciting season ahead.
