The CFL is entering Week 11, marking the official midway point of the 2024 season.
It has been an electrifying campaign full of brilliant performances, fantastic finishes, and classic comebacks. But while Grey Cup hardware is the only thing that teams care about, that isn’t the only bragging rights up for grabs.
We’ve polled seven of our contributors to determine which CFL players deserve all-star honours at the halfway point of the season. It was a taxing process that ultimately resulted in a list of 28 elite players who have wowed fans through 10 weeks.
Here are 3DownNation’s mid-season CFL all-stars.
* denotes National player / ** denotes Global player
Quarterback: Vernon Adams Jr., B.C. Lions
Adams may not start another game after the arrival of Nathan Rourke this week, but that doesn’t erase an M.O.P. calibre first half of the year. He threw for 2,469 yards, 14 touchdowns, and just six picks in eight starts before going down with a minor knee injury. No quarterback this year has more victories (five) or more 300-yard games (five), making him a lock for this spot.
Second team: Cody Fajardo, MTL
Running back: Brady Oliveira, Winnipeg Blue Bombers*
There is an outright tie for the CFL rushing lead at the midpoint, with both Oliveira and Toronto’s Ka’Deem Carey stuck at 611 yards. The Canadian back has accomplished his feat in one less game (eight) and six fewer carries (107) while adding 264 receiving yards compared to Carey’s 187. That is enough to overcome the American’s overwhelming lead of five to zero when it comes to touchdowns.
Second team: Ka’Deem Carey, TOR
Receiver: Justin McInnis, B.C. Lions* | Tyson Philpot, Montreal Alouettes* | Justin Hardy, Ottawa Redblacks | Alexander Hollins, B.C. Lions | Shemar Bridges, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2024 has been the year of the Canadian receiver and that’s well reflected on this team, as the top two in receiving yardage, McInnis and Philpot, were voted in unanimously. Hardy’s production has come despite his team playing one fewer game than everyone else. Hollins still makes the squad after a run of bad games because his average of 16.5 yards per catch makes him the CFL’s best deep threat, while Bridges, a rookie, has quietly been one of the most reliable outlets with a league-leading 24 second-down conversions.
Second team: Ontaria Wilson, WPG | Reggie Begelton, CGY | Samuel Emilus, SSK* | Kurleigh Gittens Jr., EDM* | Kalil Pimpleton, OTT
Offensive line: Dejon Allen, Toronto Argonauts | Nick Callender, Montreal Alouettes | Pier-Olivier Lestage, Montreal Alouettes* | Ryan Hunter, Toronto Argonauts* | Justin Lawrence, Montreal Alouettes*
The two best offensive lines in the league take up all five spots on this all-star squad, as they probably should at such a cooperative position. The Alouettes are represented by Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman front-runner Pier-Olivier Lestage at guard, stalwart left tackle Nick Callender, and gritty centre Justin Lawrence. The CFL’s reigning top lineman, right tackle Dejon Allen, and his road-grading teammate Ryan Hunter take home tributes for Toronto.
Second team: Stanley Bryant, WPG | Jermarcus Hardrick, SSK | Logan Ferland, SSK* | Brandon Revenberg, HAM* | Mark Korte, EDM*
Defensive line: Lorenzo Mauldin IV, Ottawa Redblacks | Casey Sayles, Hamilton Tiger-Cats | Jake Ceresna, Toronto Argonauts | Malik Carney, Saskatchewan Roughriders
It has been a slow year for the sack race but a murderer’s row of impactful defensive tackles made this spot nearly impossible to choose. Sayles gets the nod as Pro Football Focus’ favourite interior pressure generator and is joined by Ceresna, who is tied for the CFL lead with five sacks. 2022 Most Outstanding Defensive Player Lorenzo Mauldin IV is also in the hunt at defensive end and looks to have regained top form with four sacks so far. Carney will be the surprise pick given his underwhelming statistics — just 14 tackles and two sacks — but he’s been exceptional against the run and reliable as a rusher.
Second team: Willie Jefferson, WPG | Mustafa Johnson, MTL | Anthony Lanier II, SSK | Bryce Carter, OTT
Linebacker: Tyrice Beverette, Montreal Alouettes | Wynton McManis, Toronto Argonauts | Adarius Pickett, Ottawa Redblacks
It should surprise no one that the CFL’s leader in total defensive plays, Beverette, was a unanimous pick for this all-star team. McManis is way down the list in that category — 24th, in fact — but his ability to move and cover in space is unparalleled, making him the league’s highest-paid backer for good reason. Pickett is a similar unicorn at the strong-side linebacker position, standing head and shoulders above anyone else in that spot for his ability to make plays anywhere on the field.
Second team: Jameer Thurman, SSK | Nyles Morgan, EDM | Redha Kramdi, WPG*
Defensive back: Tyrell Ford, Winnipeg Blue Bombers* | Garry Peters, B.C. Lions | Rolan Milligan Jr., Saskatchewan Roughriders | Evan Holm, Winnipeg Blue Bombers | Royce Metchie, Toronto Argonauts*
This DB group is highlighted by halfback Rolan Milligan Jr., who is the interception leader, current front-runner for Most Outstanding Defensive Player, and a legitimate M.O.P. candidate. Holm has also put impressive production from that spot on the field side, while Metchie consistently delivers at safety and steps into the spotlight with other elite players nicked up. Garry Peters remains an elite lockdown corner at 32 years old but it’s the 26-year-old Canadian Ford who has been the best in the league this year, with blazing speed helping him break on balls and blanket receivers.
Second team: Demerio Houston, CGY | Kabion Ento, MTL | DaShaun Amos, TOR | Deatrick Nichols, WPG | Alonzo Addae, OTT*
Special teams: Sean Whyte, B.C. Lions* | Jake Julien, Edmonton Elks* | Janarion Grant, Toronto Argonauts | Jack Cassar, Toronto Argonauts*
You can’t get any better than perfect and that is what Whyte has been this year, nailing all 27 of his field goals. Julien has been a revelation in his second year as Edmonton’s punter, getting an incredible 53.2 gross yards per kick with an absurd 40.1 yards net. Neither of those were an easier choice than Grant though, whose four touchdowns have him miles ahead of any other returner. Cassar gets the final slot as a coverage player and is currently leading the league with 14 special teams tackles.
Second team: Sergio Castillo, WPG | John Haggerty, TOR** | DeVonte Dedmon, OTT | Rolan Milligan Jr., SSK
