Vernon Adams Jr. is putting up career-best numbers in Calgary as several former Oregon players carve out pro careers north of the border.
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Not every standout college quarterback or defensive back finds a home in the NFL, but a handful of former Oregon Ducks have built solid professional careers north of the border in the Canadian Football League. With the CFL season in full swing, several ex-Ducks are making noise on their respective rosters, led by a familiar name putting together arguably his best season yet.
Vernon Adams Jr. Rewriting the CFL Record Book
Vernon Adams Jr., now in his 10th CFL season, is off to the best start of his career with the Calgary Stampeders. Through the early portion of the 2026 campaign, Adams has completed 137 of 209 passes for 1,989 yards with 20 touchdowns and zero interceptions, according to Addicted To Quack.
That interception-free stretch has carried over from last season, and Adams now holds the CFL record for consecutive touchdown passes without a pick. Oregon fans will also appreciate a bit of trivia buried in the league’s history books: the top two spots for consecutive completions in CFL history both belong to former Ducks quarterbacks, Jeremiah Masoli with 23 and Jason Maas with 22.
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Brown and Johnson Break In With New Teams
Quarterback Anthony Brown Jr., who spent time on NFL practice squads and explored spring-league opportunities, signed with the Montreal Alouettes in February. He currently remains on Montreal’s practice squad as he looks to earn a bigger role.
Wide receiver Johnny Johnson III is also in his first CFL season after stints as an NFL practice player and time in other professional leagues. Johnson was elevated from the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ practice squad earlier this month and has recorded a single catch across the team’s last three games.
Bennett Williams Battling Injuries in Ottawa
Defensive back Bennett Williams has been with the Ottawa Redblacks since 2024 and signed a contract extension heading into the 2026 season. Known for his physical play, Williams has struggled to stay healthy in each of his three CFL seasons, and this year is no exception.
Williams recorded 17 combined tackles on defense and special teams to open the season but is currently listed on Ottawa’s six-game injury list, per Addicted To Quack. If he can get healthy, there’s still hope he returns to the field before the CFL season wraps up in the fall.
For Oregon fans who track former Ducks after they leave Eugene, the CFL offers a reminder that the program’s talent pipeline extends well beyond the NFL. Whether it’s Adams rewriting record books in Calgary or younger names like Brown and Johnson trying to carve out roster spots, the Ducks’ presence north of the border remains a story worth following throughout the season.