Dinos alums headline CFL opening week

Football
6/4/2025 12:00:00 PM

Dinos Communications

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CALGARY – The Canadian Football League season officially kicks off this week, and – as usual – the University of Calgary Dinos are well represented from coast to coast.

This year, 12 former Dinos have earned a roster spot to continue to showcase their talent across Canada – once again the most from any Canada West university.

One of the longest-tenured Dinos in the CFL kicks off the league’s season Thursday night as Sean McEwen his Saskatchewan Roughriders host Ottawa. 

On Friday, it’s a battle of the two most recent Grey Cup champions. A trio of former Dinos offensive linemen in John Bosse, Darius Ciraco, and Peter Nicastro take the field with Toronto for the first time since winning the 2024 Grey Cup last November. They will start their title defence at Montreal, going up against star receiver Tyson Philpot and defensive back Nate Beauchemin, who was just selected 14th overall in this year’s CFL Draft.

Jeshrun Antwi, Jalen Philpot and Micah Teitz get their 2025 season underway Saturday in the familiar confines of McMahon Stadium as the Calgary Stampeders open against Hamilton, while Adam Konar and Tyler Packer kick off the year with the BC Lions at home against Edmonton.

Ethan Ball – who was also just drafted earlier this Spring – will have to wait until Week 2 to look for his CFL debut with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who are on bye during kickoff week.

The Dinos leading the way in CFL representation should come as no surprise, as Calgary has had at least one player selected in the CFL Draft for the past 24 consecutive seasons. Furthermore, the Dinos have had 82 CFL draft-day selections in the last 24 years – the most of any school over that span.

The 61st season of Dinos football will open training camp in August ahead of their regular season opener Aug. 29 at McMahon Stadium against the reigning league champion Regina Rams.

Calgary Dinos Alumni on 2025 CFL Rosters (as of June 4, 2025)

NAME
POSITION
CFL TEAM
ROSTER
YEARS AS A DINO
HOMETOWN




Jeshrun Antwi
RB
Calgary Stampeders
Active
2015-2019
Calgary, AB


Ethan Ball
DB
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Practice
2024
Regina, SK


Nate Beauchemin
DB
Montreal Alouettes
Active
2021-2024
Kelowna, BC


John Bosse
OL
Toronto Argonauts
Active
2018-2023
Fort Myers, Fla.


Darius Ciraco
OL
Toronto Argonauts
Active
2014-2017
Burlington, ON


Adam Konar
LB
BC Lions
Active
2014
Vancouver, BC


Sean McEwan
OL
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Active
2011-2015
Calgary, AB


Peter Nicastro
OL
Toronto Argonauts
Active
2016-2020
Calgary, AB


Tyler Packer
OL
BC Lions
Active
2017-2021
Calgary, AB


Jalen Philpot
WR
Calgary Stampeders
Active
2018-2021
Surrey, BC


Tyson Philpot
WR
Montreal Alouettes
Active
2018-2021
Surrey, BC


Micah Teitz
LB
Calgary Stampeders
Active
2014-2017
Calgary, AB

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