Rookies play a vital role in the Canadian Football League (CFL), as they infuse the game with new skills and passion each new year. The Most Outstanding Rookie award in the CFL reflects this importance, honoring an individual for their exceptional contribution to the league in their first season. While there’s only one Most Outstanding Rookie award in the CFL, we’ll take a look at a few of the top rookie performances from the 2023 CFL season.
Dustin Crum, Ottawa Redblacks (Quarterback)
Ottawa Redblacks rookie quarterback Dustin Crum put together an impressive 2023 campaign. During the regular season, he completed 266 passes out of 385 attempts for 3,109 yards and 10 touchdowns. Crum’s ability to extend plays with his legs was evident, as he rushed for 741 yards and nine touchdowns on 97 carries. This dual-threat ability added a new strength to the Ottawa offense, as he was the signal-caller for a team that looks to be one of the up-and-coming squads in the CFL.
These types of performances often get the attention of live betting enthusiasts looking for ways to engage in the sport in new and engaging ways. Betting on live games gives fans the opportunity to interact directly with games as they unfold and Crums’ impressive season was almost certainly noticed by those wagering on games. Sports performance and fan engagement have never been more linked than they are in the digital age when fans can watch more games than ever before and engage with their favorite athletes to new levels.
Qwan’tez Stiggers, Toronto Argonauts (Defensive Back)
Since arriving in the CFL, Qwan’tez Stiggers has been nothing short of a star, so it came as no surprise when the defensive back won the Most Outstanding Rookie award for his performance on the Toronto Argonauts. In 2023, Stiggers was the kind of player whose impact seemed obvious from Week 1 having led the Argos with five interceptions while logging 69 defensive plays. He should expect to lead the Argos secondary for seasons to come if he keeps logging this sort of exceptional play.
Tyler Snead, Montreal Alouettes (Wide Receiver)
Montreal Alouettes rookie Tyler Snead made quite the name for himself emerging as an up-and-coming star in his first CFL season. He had an impressive 56 catches for 788 yards and found the end zone having scored five touchdowns, tying him for the lead among rookies.
Sneads’ 14.1 yards per reception in 15 games shows he’s able to make big catches as a downfield threat in the CFL for years to come. If he continues to build on his success, the Alouettes should expect to close the gap in the East Division standings.
Kai Gray, Edmonton Elks (Defensive Back)
During the 2023 CFL season, Kai Gray was a standout in the Edmonton Elks’ defense. His defensive instincts helped him register 54 defensive tackles, as he always seemed to be positioned to stop any opposing offense in its tracks. Gray also showcased his hands, picking up two interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown. The Elks need all the help they can get to boost their league-worst defense, and Gray might be one of the answers.
Tyreik McAllister, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Wide Receiver)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ Tyreik McAllister was a threat in his rookie year as a receiver and a returning specialist. On the offensive side, McAllister hauled in 359 yards, showing that he had the hands and speed to be a major contributor to the team’s aerial attack. However, it was McAllister’s time on special teams where he made the biggest impact as the Ticats’ lead returner on both punts and kickoffs. He led the CFL for kickoffs in Average Yards per Return with 25.3 and was fourth for total kickoff yards with 1037 yards.
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