Photo: Purdue University
Offensive lineman Giordano Vaccaro will officially be available in the 2026 CFL Draft and has set his pro day for Wednesday, March 4.
According to sources, some CFL teams believed Vaccaro might receive a redshirt for 2026, which would grant him another year of NCAA eligibility and result in him being deferred to the 2027 CFL Draft. However, his agent, Fred Weinrauch, has confirmed to 3DownNation that Vaccaro is entering the professional ranks and will remain in the 2026 CFL Draft.
The six-foot-two, 315-pound blocker spent the 2025 season at Purdue University where he filled a depth role along the offensive line. Vaccaro dressed on special teams before getting an opportunity to play right guard in Purdue’s season finale against Indiana University, who went on to win the National Championship Game.
The native of Winnipeg, Man. started his collegiate career at the University of Manitoba where he started at left tackle in 2022. In 2023, he moved to left guard and was named a Canada West all-star and a first-team U Sports All-Canadian. He earned both accolades again in 2024, when he also won the J. P. Metras Trophy as the top offensive or defensive lineman in all of U Sports football.
The 22-year-old will participate in Purdue’s pro day next week, which is expected to be attended by multiple CFL teams. The most recent Canadian player to be drafted out of Purdue is Daniel Johnson, who was a fifth-round pick in the 2024 CFL Draft and currently plays along the offensive line for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Vaccaro currently ranks No. 19 on the scouting bureau rankings for the 2026 CFL Draft and projects as a consensus first-round pick.