Photo courtesy: Leah Hennel/CFL.
For the seventh time in CFL history, at least six running backs have recorded 1,000 or more yards on the ground.
Dedrick Mills (1,409), A.J. Ouellette (1,222), James Butler (1,213), Brady Oliveira (1,163), Greg Bell (1,038) and Justin Rankin (1,013) each went over 1,000 rushing yards in 2025. There have been five other seasons which had six ball carriers eclipse the 1,000-yard mark: 1958, 1994, 2000, 2004 and 2005. In 2009, a single-season record seven backs posted 1,000 yards.
With Mills, Ouellette, Butler, Oliveira and Rankin eclipsing the 1,000-yard rushing mark, it’s the first time in CFL history that the West Division has had five running backs accomplish the feat. In 1996, B.C., Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatchewan each had 1,00-yard rushers when the West Division had four teams in it.
Joffrey Reynolds led the way in 2009 with 1,504 yards, followed by Fred Reid at 1,371 and Arkee Whitlock with 1,293. Martell Mallett had 1,240, DeAndra Cobb posted 1,217, Avon Cobourne had 1,214, and Jamal Robertson joined the 1K club with 1,031. Wes Cates was close with 932 yards.
Charles Roberts led the way in 2005 with 1,624 yards, followed by Joffrey Reynolds at 1,453 and Robert Edwards with 1,199. Josh Ranek had 1,157, while Troy Davis posted 1,151, and quarterback Kerry Joseph ran for 1,006. Antonio Warren was close with 983 yards.
Troy Davis led the way in 2004 with 1,628 yards. Charles Roberts was next at 1,522, followed by Kenton Keith at 1,154, Mike Pringle at 1,141, Antonio Warren at 1,136 and Josh Ranek with 1,060. John Avery was close with 974 yards.
Mike Pringle led the way in 2000 with 1,778 yards, and was joined in the 1K club by Ronald Williams with 1,264, Mike Jenkins at 1,050, Kelvin Anderson with 1,048, Darren Davis at 1,024, and Sean Millington with 1,010.
Mike Pringle led the way in 1994 with 1,972 yards, followed by Cory Philpot with 1,451. Blaise Bryant had 1,289, Troy Mills posted 1,230, Mike Saunders had 1,205 and Tony Stewart ran for 1,120.
Johnny Bright led the way in 1958 with 1,722 yards. Cookie Gilchrist was next up with 1,254, followed by Leo Lewis at 1,160, Gerry McDougall with 1,109, Normie Kwong at 1,033, and Dick Shatto with 1,018. Jim Bakhtiar was close with 971 yards.
Mills, Bell, and Rankin make it 119 unique individuals who have rushed for 1,000 yards in CFL history. There have been 1,000-yard rushing seasons recorded 251 times. George Reed has the most 1,000-yard seasons with 11, while Mike Pringle had nine and Kelvin Anderson had eight, which all came in consecutive years from 1996 through 2003. Jon Cornish has the CFL record for fewest games to reach 1,000 yards in a single season; he accomplished the feat in nine outings in 2014.