Midseason all-CFL team selections highlight top performers

By Liam Tremblay — 13 August 2026 — 5 min read

Midseason All-CFL Selections

As the CFL season reaches its halfway point, an expert panel has compiled a midseason All-CFL team to recognize outstanding individual performances. The panel, comprising representatives from the league’s Football Operations, Player and Game Statistics, and Content departments, evaluated players across all positions based on their contributions during the first half of the 2026 campaign.

On the defensive line, Willie Jefferson and Clarence Hicks were selected as bookends. Jefferson has consistently disrupted plays with his pass-rushing and five pass knockdowns. Hicks leads the league in pressures with 50, significantly more than the next player, and is tied for the league lead in sacks with six. Inside, Jaylon Hutchings and Ralph Holley have been formidable. Holley holds the highest run defence grade at 85.7, while Hutchings has recorded four sacks and 18 tackles.

In the defensive backfield, Robert Kennedy III and Tyrell Ford were recognized for their pass coverage. Kennedy III has the top coverage grade at 81.1, with Ford close behind at 80.6. Ford has allowed a 57.1 per cent completion rate and is tied for the league lead with five interceptions. Zy Alexander of the Stampeders leads in coverage grade at 82.7 and is second in interceptions with four. Lorenzo Burns of the Alouettes also impressed with a 79.9 coverage grade.

Linebackers Marquel Lee and Tony Jones have demonstrated versatility. Lee has the highest coverage grade among linebackers at 82.2, allowing only seven first downs on 18 targets and making eight run stops. Jones has allowed just five first downs on 14 targets, with an average of 7.3 yards per catch, the second-best among linebackers. He also leads linebackers with 15 run stops. Adarius Pickett of Toronto is noted for his 14 run stops and seven tackles for loss or no gain, the most among linebackers.

Offensive Standouts and Special Teams

At quarterback, Davis Alexander leads the league with 3,140 passing yards and a passer efficiency of 122.5 among active quarterbacks. He has thrown 18 touchdowns against just two interceptions, contributing to his receivers Tyson Philpot and Tyler Snead leading the league in receiving yards. Alexander is also a prominent figure in discussions for the George Reed Most Outstanding Player award.

Justin Rankin of the Elks is highlighted as a dynamic running back, ranking fourth in the league with 651 rushing yards and scoring seven touchdowns on the ground. He has also added 418 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air, showcasing his ability as a pass-catching back.

Receivers Philpot and Snead have been key for the Alouettes. Philpot leads the league with seven receiving touchdowns and has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards with 1,154. Snead is close to the milestone with 940 yards. Other notable receivers include KeeSean Johnson of the Riders, who has 714 yards in eight games, and Austin Mack of the Elks, who has 766 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 16.3 yards per catch. Damonte Coxie of the Argos has contributed 685 yards and two touchdowns, along with 17 second-down conversions.

The offensive line selections include Nick Callender and Pier-Olivier Lestage of the Alouettes, both of whom have allowed no sacks this season. Callender has the second-highest pass-blocking grade at 82.6, while Lestage has a 98.8 pass blocking efficiency rating. Payton Collins of the Riders has the second-best run blocking grade at 78.8. Carter O’Donnell of the Elks has a 98.1 pass blocking efficiency rating, allowing only one sack. Peter Nicastro of the Argos is recognized as the best offensive lineman in pass blocking with an 83.0 grade, having allowed no sacks.

In special teams, Brett Lauther was the most reliable kicker, making all 20 of his field goal attempts, including a 51-yard kick, before being placed on the injured list. Punter Jake Julien is averaging 49.7 yards per punt, with a long of 79 yards. Returner Tyreik McAllister leads the league with 516 punt return yards, averaging 14.3 yards per return, and has also accumulated 613 kickoff return yards, averaging 21.1 per kickoff. McAllister has scored on a punt return and twice on missed field goals this season.

Award Contenders and Team Standings

As the season progresses, several players are emerging as frontrunners for major CFL awards. For the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) award, contenders include receiver Tyson Philpot, and quarterbacks Davis Alexander and Cody Fajardo. Philpot, who has already surpassed 1,000 receiving yards, is considered a strong candidate.

For the Most Outstanding Canadian (MOC) award, Philpot is also a clear frontrunner, recognized for his productivity regardless of nationality. Other contenders include quarterback Nathan Rourke and receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker. Philpot’s historic start positions him well to challenge for the league receiving title and makes him a favourite for the MOC award.

Team standings at the midway point show the Montreal Alouettes leading with an 8-1 record, followed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders at 6-2, and the Edmonton Elks at 6-3. The Calgary Stampeders hold a 4-5 record, while the Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers are both at 4-4. The B.C. Lions are 3-5, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are 3-6, and the Ottawa Redblacks are currently 0-8.

The Alouettes have been noted as the CFL’s most consistent team, with the combination of Alexander and Philpot driving their success. The Roughriders, as defending champions, have found their form after an uneven start, maintaining a strong position in the championship conversation. The Elks had a hot start but have faced challenges sustaining their early momentum. The Stampeders have shown flashes of potential but lack consistency, while the Argonauts are finding their form after a heavy road schedule. The Blue Bombers have experienced a predictable first half, marked by an injury to quarterback Zach Collaros. The Tiger-Cats have fallen from pre-season expectations due to an injury to quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, and the Redblacks continue to struggle, remaining winless.

Source: cfl.ca