The CFL announced on Wednesday their 2021 All-Star selections. The Toronto Argonauts have two players that have been recognized for this honour. DB/LB Chris Edwards and CFL Rookie standout DL Shawn Oakman.
The 27 All-Stars were selected by 50 voters comprising members of the Football Reporters of Canada and the league’s head coaches.
Chris Edwards was one of the best coverage players in the CFL. Playing at Sam linebacker near the line of scrimmage and hovering in the secondary along with other superb standouts like Shaq Richardson. The argument can be made that Edwards is the CFL’s best cover linebacker. And the voting and this nod reflect that.
Shawn Oakman, the Baylor standout, has been given a second life in the pros and has made the most of it. First starring in the XFL with the LA Wildcats in 2020 before emerging as one of Canada’s best American rookies in 2021.
The Argos and CFL released the following statements below. Along with the complete list of All-Stars.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS DL SHAWN OAKMAN & DB CHRIS EDWARDS NAMED 2021 CFL ALL-STARS
TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts announced today that American DL Shawn Oakman and American LB/DB Chris Edwards have been named 2021 CFL All-Stars. The All-Stars were selected by 50 voters comprising members of the Football Reporters of Canada and the league’s head coaches.
In his first CFL season, Oakman was a dominant force from the interior of the defensive line racking up six sacks and 36 total tackles. The Texas native’s six sacks were second-most in the CFL from the inside of the defensive line, and his 36 tackles were also second-most amongst all defensive linemen. The 6’9, 287lb lineman lived up to his height knocking down four balls from the line of scrimmage this season, good for third-most in the league amongst defensive linemen. This is the first time an Argo defensive lineman has won a CFL All-Star award since 2013 (Khalif Mitchell).
In his first season with Toronto, Edwards was all over the field, posting 38 total tackles and three sacks while intercepting three passes for a league-high 162 yards and two touchdowns. The four-year CFL veteran’s three picks were a career-high and tied for third-most in the league this season. The 28-year-old played all 14 games this season and was tied for first on the Argos in interceptions, tied for second in sacks, and fourth in total tackles. This is the first time an Argo linebacker/defensive back has won a CFL All-Star award since 2013 (Pat Watkins).
2021 CFL ALL-STARS
POSITION | NAME | TEAM | ||
Quarterback | Zach Collaros | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | ||
Running Back | William Stanback | Montreal Alouettes | ||
Receivers | Kenny Lawler | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | ||
Eugene Lewis | Montreal Alouettes | |||
Bryan Burnham | BC Lions | |||
Lucky Whitehead | BC Lions | |||
Jake Wieneke | Montreal Alouettes | |||
Centre | Sean McEwen* | Calgary Stampeders | ||
Guards | Brandon Revenberg* | Hamilton Tiger-Cats | ||
Patrick Neufeld* | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | |||
Offensive Tackles | Stanley Bryant | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | ||
Jermarcus Hardrick | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | |||
Defensive Ends | Jackson Jeffcoat | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | ||
Willie Jefferson | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | |||
Defensive Tackles | Mike Rose | Calgary Stampeders | ||
Shawn Oakman | Toronto Argonauts | |||
Linebackers | Adam Bighill | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | ||
Simoni Lawrence | Hamilton Tiger-Cats | |||
Cover Linebacker | Chris Edwards | Toronto Argonauts | ||
Cornerbacks | DeAundre Alford | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | ||
Jumal Rolle | Hamilton Tiger-Cats | |||
Halfbacks | Cariel Brooks | Hamilton Tiger-Cats | ||
Deatrick Nichols | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | |||
Safety | Brandon Alexander | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | ||
Kicker | Rene Paredes* | Calgary Stampeders | ||
Punter | Richie Leone | Ottawa REDBLACKS | ||
Special Teams Player | DeVonte Dedmon | Ottawa REDBLACKS |
* Denotes a national player
TEAM BREAKDOWN
11 – Winnipeg Blue Bombers
4 – Hamilton Tiger-Cats
3 – Montreal Alouettes, Calgary Stampeders
2 – BC Lions, Ottawa REDBLACKS, Toronto Argonauts
BY THE NUMBERS
16 – West Division All-Stars
11 – East Division All-Stars
4 – National CFL All-Stars
MULTIPLE CAREER CFL ALL-STAR SELECTIONS
6x – Adam Bighill, Stanley Bryant
5x – Rene Paredes
4x – Bryan Burnham, Willie Jefferson, Richie Leone
3x – Brandon Revenberg, Simoni Lawrence
2x – Sean McEwen, William Stanback
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