Calgary Stampeders sign All-Sun Belt pass rusher Khairi Manns, release one

Photo courtesy: James Madison Athletics

The Calgary Stampeders have signed American defensive lineman Khairi Manns to their training camp roster.

The six-foot-two, 234-pound edge rusher wrapped up his collegiate career at James Madison University in 2024, appearing in 13 games for the Dukes. He was named second-team All-Sun Belt after recording 70 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and two pass breakups.

Manns previously attended the University of Colorado for one season in 2023 and the University of Maine for four years beginning in 2019. Across all three stops, he amassed 187 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.

The native of New Rochelle, N.Y., went unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft. He received a mini-camp invitation from the New York Giants, but did not receive a contract. He later joined the DC Defenders of the United Football League, but did not make the final roster.

In a corresponding move, the Stampeders have released American receiver Melquan Stovall. The Arizona State product, who also made stops at Nevada and Colorado State, had yet to appear in a CFL game.

The Calgary Stampeders weren’t very active in CFL free agency, though they signed former Toronto Argonauts receiver Dejon Brissett, who set a career-high with 907 receiving yards in 2025. The Stampeders didn’t lose any free agents to other CFL teams but had three players sign in the NFL: receiver Damien Alford (New Orleans Saints), defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings (Minnesota Vikings), and linebacker Jacob Roberts (Minnesota Vikings).

The Stampeders hold the sixth overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on May 10. Calgary will play its first preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Monday, May 18, and its first regular-season game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday, June 5.

In 2025, Calgary finished third in the West Division standings with an 11-7 record but lost the West Semi-Final to the B.C. Lions.