{"id":13560,"date":"2025-07-21T18:53:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T18:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/13560\/"},"modified":"2025-07-21T18:53:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T18:53:12","slug":"mmqb-6-breakout-players-at-the-one-third-mark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/13560\/","title":{"rendered":"MMQB: 6 breakout players at the one-third mark"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s crazy to think, but with Week 7 behind us, we\u2019re now officially one-third of the way through this 2025 campaign. And with every team having at least five games under their belt, we\u2019ve got a large enough body of work to start identifying a few trends.<\/p>\n<p>One of those trends is the number of standout performances from players who wouldn\u2019t have been considered \u201chousehold names\u201d entering the season. And in a lot of cases, the emergence of these players has been huge for their team\u2019s early season successes.<\/p>\n<p>So, for this week\u2019s MMQB, we\u2019ve identified six breakout players making waves a third of the way through.<\/p>\n<p>RELATED<br \/>\u00bb <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/2025\/07\/20\/tiger-cats-win-fourth-in-a-row-after-defeating-redblacks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Tiger-Cats win fourth in a row after defeating REDBLACKS<\/a><br \/>\u00bb <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/2025\/07\/19\/trevor-harris-shines-as-roughriders-bounce-back-against-lions\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trevor Harris shines as Roughriders bounce back against Lions<\/a><br \/>\u00bb <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/2025\/07\/18\/stamps-storm-past-bombers-in-statement-win\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Stamps storm past Bombers in statement win<\/a><br \/>\u00bb\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@cfl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"Subscribe to the CFL\u2019s official YouTube channel - open in a new tab\" data-uw-rm-ext-link=\"\">Subscribe to the CFL\u2019s official YouTube channel<\/a><br role=\"presentation\"\/>\u00bb\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/plus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"Sign up and watch CFL games on CFL+ in the U.S. and Internationally - open in a new tab\" data-uw-rm-ext-link=\"\" data-uw-rm-brl=\"PR\" data-uw-original-href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/plus\" data-uw-original->Sign up and watch CFL games on CFL+ in the U.S. and Internationally<\/a><\/p>\n<p>DAMIEN ALFORD | REC | CALGARY STAMPEDERS<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s always going to be expectations attached to being a first overall selection. But it\u2019s safe to say <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/players\/damien-alford\/182122\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Damien Alford<\/a>, the number one pick in the 2025 CFL Draft, has exceeded any and all of them early in his rookie CFL campaign. In fact, it\u2019s rare for a top pick to make the type of impact Alford has this quickly.<\/p>\n<p>After going off for his second straight two-touchdown performance in Calgary\u2019s dominant 41-20 win at Winnipeg on Friday Night Football, Alford is up to five on the season, second only to Hamilton\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/players\/kenny-lawler\/163693\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-ga-category=\"Clicks - Article\" data-ga-action=\"article-player-link\" data-ga-opt-label=\"Kenny Lawler\">Kenny Lawler<\/a> (eight). More and more, Alford is factoring into offensive coordinator Pat DelMonaco\u2019s play-calling and quarterback <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/players\/vernon-adams-jr\/159680\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Vernon Adams Jr.<\/a>\u2019s decision making, which means his impact should only go up from here.<\/p>\n<p>DAVIS ALEXANDER | QB | MONTREAL ALOUETTES<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve known the Als have had something in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/players\/davis-alexander\/165844\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-ga-category=\"Clicks - Article\" data-ga-action=\"article-player-link\" data-ga-opt-label=\"Davis Alexander\">Davis Alexander<\/a> for quite some time, which is why it wasn\u2019t a shock when they made room for him as the team\u2019s starter ahead of the season. But I don\u2019t think anyone could have imagined things to have gone as seamlessly as they have for Alexander in his first year on top of the depth chart. That said, Alexander did reaggravate his hamstring injury in Week 7 and was placed on the six-game injured list by the Alouettes.<\/p>\n<p>While on the field though though, Alexander threw for 303 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for another touchdown and 23 yards, in Montreal\u2019s 26-25 comeback win over the Argos on Thursday night. He\u2019s now up to 1,106 passing yards and six touchdowns in four games to go along with a perfect 4-0 record as a starter. To round things out, Alexander sits third overall with a 107.0 quarterback rating.<\/p>\n<p>MARIO KENDRICKS JR. | DT | HAMILTON TIGER-CATS<br \/>\n<img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2734317\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2734317 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/FINAL250527_HAM-v-MTL01090.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2043\" height=\"1152\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-2734317\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">DT Mario Kendricks Jr. has already tallied four sacks for the Tiger-Cats in 2025 (Kevin Sousa\/CFL.ca)<\/p>\n<p>The Ticats closed out week 7 with a 30-15 win over Ottawa, their fourth straight to remain tied with Montreal for tops in the East Division. And Sunday\u2019s outing was one of just two this season where <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/players\/mario-kendricks\/168685\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Mario Kendricks Jr.<\/a> didn\u2019t record a quarterback sack. After dressing in just two games with Hamilton last season, 2025 has seen Kendricks Jr. establish himself as an importance piece of the team\u2019s defensive front four.<\/p>\n<p>In six appearances, Kendricks Jr. leads the 4-2 Tiger-Cats with four sacks and sits second overall in the category. He\u2019s been an important part of an interior group that includes the always-disruptive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/players\/casey-sayles\/163472\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-ga-category=\"Clicks - Article\" data-ga-action=\"article-player-link\" data-ga-opt-label=\"Casey Sayles\">Casey Sayles<\/a> and Hamilton newcomer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/players\/miles-fox\/16715500\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-ga-category=\"Clicks - Article\" data-ga-action=\"article-player-link\" data-ga-opt-label=\"Miles Fox\">Miles Fox<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>ANDREW CHATFIELD JR. | DE | TORONTO ARGONAUTS<br \/>\n<img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2736123\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2736123 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Andrew_Chatfield_Jr_2025_01.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2043\" height=\"1152\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-2736123\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">DE Andrew Chatfield Jr. leads the league in sacks with five (Kevin Sousa\/CFL.ca)<\/p>\n<p>It would be tough not to put the league\u2019s current sack leader, who had just one game of CFL experience prior to this season, in this conversation. Despite going without one in two straight games, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/players\/andrew-chatfield-jr\/168931\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Andrew Chatfield Jr.<\/a> leads the league with five sacks after recording at least one tally in his first four games of 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Acquired quietly by the Argos in a February trade with Ottawa, where he spent most of his time on the practice roster, Chatfield Jr. has been a revelation thus far. We\u2019ll see if he can keep up his torrid pace as Toronto enters the middle third of their campaign.<\/p>\n<p>JAYLON HUTCHINGS | DT | CALGARY STAMPEDERS<br \/>\n<img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2732988\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2732988 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/FINAL20250621cflC_O6633-DJC-00907.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2043\" height=\"1152\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-2732988\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">DT Jaylon Hutchings (#96) has recorded a sack in four of the last five games with the Stamps (Dave Chidley\/CFL.ca)<\/p>\n<p>Knowing the red hot 5-1 Stamps are the breakout team of the season, it\u2019s no surprise they\u2019re the only team with a pair of players represented in this rundown. And for a team that said goodbye to a swath of their 2024 defensive starters, Calgary was going to need several new faces to step to the forefront. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/players\/jaylon-hutchings\/169197\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Jaylon Hutchings<\/a> is unquestionably one of them.<\/p>\n<p>After joining the practice roster late last season, Hutchings appeared in his first two professional games as the Stampeders were playing out the string. But Calgary obviously saw enough in him to say goodbye to mainstay <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/players\/mike-rose\/163006\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-ga-category=\"Clicks - Article\" data-ga-action=\"article-player-link\" data-ga-opt-label=\"Mike Rose\">Mike Rose<\/a> over the winter, and Hutchings has rewarded that faith. The interior force has recorded a sack in four of his last five games and sits tied for second overall with four total.<\/p>\n<p>TEVAUGHN CAMPBELL | DB | SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>I just couldn\u2019t not include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/players\/tevaughn-campbell\/161543\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-ga-category=\"Clicks - Article\" data-ga-action=\"article-player-link\" data-ga-opt-label=\"Tevaughn Campbell\">Tevaughn Campbell<\/a>, despite having 37 games of CFL experience entering this season. But, knowing Campbell went around six years between games north of the border, I thought I could bend the rules a little bit. And honestly, with how good Campbell has been in his return to the league, he deserves it.<\/p>\n<p>Campbell has fit like a glove in Saskatchewan\u2019s defensive backfield. He\u2019s recorded 12 tackles, two interceptions, and a defensive touchdown in five appearances (he had another pick-six called back in Saturday\u2019s win over BC). Sliding seamlessly in at field corner, Campbell has made throwing to either side of the field a challenge for opposition quarterbacks with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/players\/rolan-milligan-jr\/166542\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Rolan Milligan Jr.<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/players\/marcus-sayles\/163412\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-ga-category=\"Clicks - Article\" data-ga-action=\"article-player-link\" data-ga-opt-label=\"Marcus Sayles\">Marcus Sayles<\/a> at boundary.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s crazy to think, but with Week 7 behind us, we\u2019re now officially one-third of the way through&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13561,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[437],"tags":[49,48,521,522,520,82],"class_list":["post-13560","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cfl","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-canadian-football-league","tag-canadianfootballleague","tag-cfl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13560","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13560"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13560\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13561"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13560"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13560"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13560"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}