3DownNation's definitive 2025 CFL all-stars

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

The Canadian Football League unveiled its Divisional All-CFL teams on Wednesday, honouring what is supposed to be the best of the best in the league. However, as usual, the end result left something to be desired.

Voting for year-end recognition in the CFL is a complex and sometimes flawed process that can be skewed by everything from locas bias to name recognition. That often leaves worthy players on the outside looking in.

We polled 13 3DownNation contributors to see who their 2025 all-star and award selections would be. Unlike the CFL, there were no divisional requirements here; the only requirement was to vote for the best players available. We also added several positions which aren’t formally recognized by the league, but should be.

After doing the math, here are our selections for the 2025 all-stars. Make sure to tune back in tomorrow for our major award winners.

“N” denotes nationals (ie. Canadians), “A” denotes Americans, and “G” denotes Globals. Players who did not receive official All-CFL recognition are marked with an asterisk.

Photo: Jeff Vinnick/B.C. Lions

Quarterback: Nathan Rourke, B.C. Lions (N)

This one is a no-brainer. While critics may point to the fact that Bo Levi Mitchell holds both the passing yardage and touchdowns crown, Rourke finished just six yards behind him while starting two fewer games due to injury. The Canadian pivot boasts the second-highest yards per passing attempt for a QB with more than 400 throws in CFL history, trailing Sam Etcheverry’s 1956 season by only a decimal point, while also finishing eighth in CFL rushing yards. No player has generated more total yardage or touchdowns this season than Rourke, as proven by the fact that he surpassed 300 yards passing in 12 of his 16 starts.

Second team: Bo Levi Mitchell, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)

Photo courtesy: Calgary Stampeders

Running back: Dedrick Mills, Calgary Stampeders (A)

While our voters eventually settled on the league’s leading rusher to fill this spot, running back was the position with the most varied opinions — unsurprising in a year where six backs crossed the thousand-yard mark. Second-teamer Justin Rankin led the CFL in explosive plays and total yards from scrimmage, but Mills wasn’t far behind in the latter category and captured the rushing crown by 187 yards. Most impressively, he led the CFL with 46 runs of over 10 yards — 15 more than any other player.

Second team: Justin Rankin, Edmonton Elks (A)*

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

Fullback/Tight end: Jevoni Robinson, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (G)*

Viewed as package players, fullbacks and tight ends are not officially honoured by the CFL, but they should be. Clearly, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats feel the same way with the emphasis they’ve placed on the position. Robinson, a converted basketball player from Jamaica, is a true one-of-one in the CFL and led all other H-backs with 14 catches for 214 yards and two touchdowns.

Second team: Ante Litre, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)*

Photo courtesy: Saskatchewan Roughriders/Liam Richards

Receivers: Kenny Lawler, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A) | KeeSean Johnson, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A) | Keon Hatcher, B.C. Lions (A) | Justin McInnis, B.C. Lions (N) | Nic Demski, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (N)

There were no major deviations here between the official voters and our contingents at the receiver position. The league leader in offensive touchdowns, Kenny Lawler, was a unanimous selection, while receiving yardage leader Keon Hatcher and the second-down conversion champ KeeSean Johnson both received overwhelming support. Justin McInnis received a clear nod as the top Canadian in terms of yardage, but Nic Demski is a more controversial selection for his magnitude of impact on a weaker passing team, despite finishing 11th in receiving yardage.

Second team: Tyler Snead, Montreal Alouettes (A) | Dohnte Meyers, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A) | Damonte Coxie, Toronto Argonauts (A)* | Kiondre Smith, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N) | Justin Hardy, Ottawa Redblacks (A)

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

Offensive line: Jermarcus Hardick, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A) | Jarell Broxton, B.C. Lions (A) | Liam Dobson, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)* | Zack Williams, Calgary Stampeders (N) | Coulter Woodmansey, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)*

A pair of Tiger-Cats who Eastern voters opted not to recognize at all highlight our offensive line group, as right guard Liam Dobson and centre Coulter Woodmansey dominated in the run game this season and were favoured over their higher-profile teammate Brandon Revenberg. Outside of that, left guard Zack Williams represents a hard-charging Calgary unit, while right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick and left tackle Jarell Broxton were obvious shoo-ins as the CFL’s two premier bookends.

Second team: Nick Callender, Montreal Alouettes (A) | Stanley Bryant, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)* | Brandon Revenberg, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N) | Pier-Olivier Lestage, Montreal Alouettes (N) | Logan Ferland, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N)

Photo courtesy: Paul Yates/B.C. Lions

Defensive line: Mathieu Betts, B.C. Lions (N) | Jaylon Hutchings, Calgary Stampeders (A) | Jonah Tavai, B.C. Lions (A)* | Julian Howsare, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)

Don’t worry, B.C. Lions! Our voters watched the tape and agreed with your assessment that Jonah Tavai needed to be an all-star this season, especially given that he led all defensive tackles with five tackles for loss. Jaylon Hutchings was an absolute no-brainer as the other interior player, given the dominant campaign he has produced, while the gold and silver medallists in the CFL sack race, Mathieu Betts and Julian Howsare, easily took our end spots.

Second team: Malik Carney, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)* | Mike Rose, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)* | Micah Johnson, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A) | Folarin Orimolade, Calgary Stampeders (A)*

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

Linebackers: Tyrice Beverette, Montreal Alouettes (A) | Tony Jones, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A) | Derrick Moncrief, Calgary Stampeders (A)*

The Alouettes boast the CFL’s undisputed top linebacker in Tyrice Beverette, whose elite play in both the pass and run games put him in a category unto himself. Once cut by Toronto and Edmonton, Tony Jones has filled Adam Bighill’s middle linebacker cleats in Winnipeg at an all-star level. Derrick Moncrief was the surprise snub by Western voters, as he has gained a second wind in Calgary’s system to become an elite coverage linebacker again and has twice as many tackles for loss (12) as any other player in the league.

Second team: Wynton McManis, Toronto Argonauts (A)* | Jameer Thurman, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A) | Adarius Pickett, Ottawa Redblacks (A)

Photo: Pascal Ratthe/Montreal Alouettes

Defensive backs: Tevaughn Campbell, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N) | Rolan Milligan Jr., Saskatchewan Roughriders (A) | Stavros Katsantonis, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N) | Destin Talbert, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)* | Kabion Ento, Montreal Alouettes (A)*

When assessing secondary talent this season, it is hard not to shine the light on Saskatchewan and Hamilton. Two Canadian players tied for the league lead in interceptions, cornerback Tevaughn Campbell and safety Stavros Katsantonis, easily made this team. The two halfbacks also come courtesy of those two organizations, as Rolan Milligan Jr. remains elite after winning Most Outstanding Defensive Player last year, and Destin Talbert continues to fly under the national radar despite his sensational play. Montreal cornerback Kabion Ento is the other player missed by East Division voters, as he was PFF’s highest-graded coverage player this year.

Second team: J.J. Ross, Edmonton Elks (A) | Deatrick Nichols, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)* | Cristophe Beaulieu, B.C. Lions (N)* | DaShaun Amos, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A) | Jamal Peters, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

Specialists: Lirim Hajrullahu, Toronto Argonauts (N) | Mark Vassett, Calgary Stampeders (G) | Luke Burton-Krahn, Edmonton Elks (N)*

In another incredible season for kickers across the league, Lirim Hajrullahu put himself in a class of his own by setting a new CFL record with 12 made kicks longer than 50 yards. Despite being a second-round Global pick and starting the year on the practice roster, Mark Vassett overcame the odds to claim the net punting average title. At the long snapper position, none are more versatile than Luke Burton-Krahn, who notched an impressive seven special teams tackles.

Second team: Marc Liegghio, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)* | Joseph Zema, Montreal Alouettes (G) | Louis-Philippe Bourassa, Montreal Alouettes (N)*

Photo: Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Special teams player: Trey Vaval, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A) | Tyrell Richards, Montreal Alouettes (N)

It’s no surprise to our voters that Trey Vaval is a finalist for both Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player. The Minnesota State-Mankato product has scored four different return touchdowns in three different ways this season — two on kickoffs, one off a punt, and one via missed field goal. Tyrell Richards has established himself as the league’s most dominant kick coverage player, amassing an astounding 30 special teams tackles in 18 games.

Second team: Isaiah Wooden, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)* | Isaac Darkangelo, Toronto Argonauts (A)*

3DownNation’s definitive 2025 CFL all-stars

Tags: