In an annual disclosure mandated since the 2018 Winter Meetings, the nine franchises of the Canadian Football League (CFL) have lifted the veil on ten players each from their negotiation lists this fall. The specified bi-annual revelations, happening in September and December, allow enthusiasts and analysts alike to speculate on the dynamics and strategies that the teams might adopt in the forthcoming seasons.
Under CFL by-laws, teams enjoy the exclusive rights to negotiate with up to 45 players, a list that is dynamic and permits additions, removals, and trades at any given moment. The recently disclosed names join the ranks of previously noted players such as Dustin Crum, Tevin Jones, and Lucky Whitehead, among others, bringing fresh narratives and speculations to the CFL landscape.
Let’s delve into the details of the newly unveiled talents and what they bring to each team:
BC Lions
Seizing the spotlight are a significant number of Quarterbacks including Arizona’s Jayden De Laura and Coastal Carolina’s stand-out, Grayson McCall. Also on the list are wide receivers like Devron Harper from Mercer who are anticipated to make a substantial impact.
- Jayden De Laura | QB | Arizona
- Devron Harper | WR | Mercer
- Smoke Harris | WR | Louisiana Tech
- Jermaine Jackson | WR | Idaho
- Grayson McCall | QB | Coastal Carolina
- Gevani McCoy | QB | Idaho
- Tommy Mellott | QB | Montana State
- Chandler Morris | QB | TCU
- Garrett Nussmeier | QB | Louisiana State
- Cameron Ward | QB | Washington State
Edmonton Elks
Maryland’s own Dontay Demus finds a spot in the negotiation list, along with a sturdy lineup of quarterbacks including Holton Ahlers from East Carolina, promising an intensified offense in the upcoming season.
- Holton Ahlers | QB | East Carolina
- Troy Brown | LB | Mississippi
- Dontay Demus | WR | Maryland
- Matt McDonald ​ | QB | Bowling Green
- Nicolas Melsop | OL | Delta State
- Cameron Rising | QB | Utah
- Spencer Sanders | QB | Mississippi
- Spencer Waege | DL | North Dakota State
- BJ Wilson | OL | Quincy
- Dresser Winn | QB | Tennessee Martin
Calgary Stampeders
The Stampeders are bolstering their roster with a mix of offensive and defensive potentials. Names like Austin Aune from North Texas and Florida State’s Auden Tate speak volumes about the team’s forward-thinking approach.
- Austin Aune | QB | North Texas
- James Blackman | QB | Arkansas State
- Davis Brin | QB | Georgia Southern
- Jalen Dalton | DL | North Carolina
- Jerome Kapp | WR | Kutztown
- Pita Taumoepenu | DL | Utah
- Auden Tate | WR | Florida State
- Adarius Taylor | LB | Florida Atlantic
- Kyle Vantrease | QB | Georgia Southern
- Chris Westry | DB | Kentucky
s="wp-block-heading">Saskatchewan Roughriders
With the introduction of Mississippi’s Jordan Ta’Amu and Georgia’s wide receiver Javon Wims, the Roughriders are clearly eyeing an augmented offensive line, coupled with the fortified defensive line prospects like Nebraska’s Carlos Davis.
- Carlos Davis | DL | Nebraska
- Sebastian Gutierrez | OL | Minot State
- Lewis Kidd | OL | Montana State
- Storey Jackson | LB | Liberty
- Scott Lashley | OL | Mississippi State
- Caleb Sanders | DL | South Dakota State
- Jordan Ta’Amu | QB | Mississippi
- Brayden Thomas | DL | North Dakota State
- John Ursua | WR | Hawaii
- Javon Wims | WR | Georgia
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Notre Dame’s quarterback Ian Book and Syracuse’s Garrett Shrader headline the Blue Bombers’ list, promising an upgraded offensive strategy in the next season that CFL enthusiasts should keenly watch out for.
