{"id":725776,"date":"2026-06-09T19:10:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T19:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/725776\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T19:10:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T19:10:09","slug":"justin-rankin-headlines-top-performers-in-week-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/725776\/","title":{"rendered":"Justin Rankin headlines top performers in Week 1"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>TORONTO \u2014 Justin Rankin, Robert Kennedy III and Jake Ceresna have been named Week 1 Players of the Week in the Canadian Football League (CFL). The honour spotlights exceptional statistical performances, pivotal plays, game-breaking feats and more.<\/p>\n<p>The three players were chosen by a panel composed of representatives from the CFL\u2019s Football Operations, Player and Game Statistics, and Content departments.<\/p>\n<p>RELATED<br \/>\u00bb <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/2026\/06\/09\/amsoil-power-rankings-whos-at-the-top-after-a-week-of-action\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">AMSOIL Power Rankings: Who\u2019s at the top after a Week of action?<\/a><br \/>\u00bb <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/2026\/06\/08\/5-pff-stats-that-stood-out-from-week-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">5 PFF stats that stood out from Week 1<\/a><br \/>\u00bb <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/2026\/06\/08\/7-numbers-that-made-week-1-must-watch-football\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">7 numbers that made Week 1 must-watch football<\/a><br \/>\u00bb\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/tickets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-uw-rm-brl=\"PR\" data-uw-original-href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/tickets\" aria-label=\"Buy tickets for the 2026 CFL season - open in a new tab\" data-uw-rm-ext-link=\"\" data-uw-original->Buy tickets for the 2026 CFL season<\/a><br \/>\u00bb\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/newsletter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"Subscribe to the CFL\u2019s newsletter for exclusive offers and league updates - open in a new tab\" data-uw-rm-ext-link=\"\" data-uw-rm-brl=\"PR\" data-uw-original-href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/newsletter\/\" data-uw-original->Subscribe to the CFL\u2019s newsletter for exclusive offers and league updates<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2927049 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/POTW-commsweek1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>1. JUSTIN RANKIN | RB | EDMONTON ELKS | EDM 29 \u2013 OTT 21<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>13 carries for <a title=\"https:\/\/can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fprezlymail.com%2Fc%2F31693340-1893-489c-8e4b-e222fc731125%2Ff0782f8e%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.youtube.com%252Fwatch%253Fv%253Dmw9BY2lqnik&amp;data=05%7C02%7Chfung%40cfl.ca%7C8d33e0f7066d4e9e2fd208dec644f085%7C5663987f0fe34b4b9bf6d34212cdb8c0%7C1%7C0%7C639166196566470583%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=F41AYQzH1OtOzs%2BgFy4YsBvPWS55XMIxSjitJoCAQzs%3D&amp;reserved=0\" href=\"https:\/\/can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fprezlymail.com%2Fc%2F31693340-1893-489c-8e4b-e222fc731125%2Ff0782f8e%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.youtube.com%252Fwatch%253Fv%253Dmw9BY2lqnik&amp;data=05%7C02%7Chfung%40cfl.ca%7C8d33e0f7066d4e9e2fd208dec644f085%7C5663987f0fe34b4b9bf6d34212cdb8c0%7C1%7C0%7C639166196566470583%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=F41AYQzH1OtOzs%2BgFy4YsBvPWS55XMIxSjitJoCAQzs%3D&amp;reserved=0\" data-outlook-id=\"60b8f9a5-6611-482f-9778-10ffe7d81bb2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">one touchdown<\/a> and 102 yards<br \/>\nThree rushes of 10+ yards<br \/>\nFive catches on seven targets for 94 yards<br \/>\nTwo 20-yard+ receptions, <a title=\"https:\/\/can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fprezlymail.com%2Fc%2F31693340-1893-489c-8e4b-e222fc731125%2Ff0782f8e%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.youtube.com%252Fwatch%253Fv%253DiHcm8a-oUso&amp;data=05%7C02%7Chfung%40cfl.ca%7C8d33e0f7066d4e9e2fd208dec644f085%7C5663987f0fe34b4b9bf6d34212cdb8c0%7C1%7C0%7C639166196566482012%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=5BVWvXPEFzZMVv5iHOubWL3x%2BqfI%2BushVeAQx7RjZps%3D&amp;reserved=0\" href=\"https:\/\/can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fprezlymail.com%2Fc%2F31693340-1893-489c-8e4b-e222fc731125%2Ff0782f8e%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.youtube.com%252Fwatch%253Fv%253DiHcm8a-oUso&amp;data=05%7C02%7Chfung%40cfl.ca%7C8d33e0f7066d4e9e2fd208dec644f085%7C5663987f0fe34b4b9bf6d34212cdb8c0%7C1%7C0%7C639166196566482012%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=5BVWvXPEFzZMVv5iHOubWL3x%2BqfI%2BushVeAQx7RjZps%3D&amp;reserved=0\" data-outlook-id=\"3f121782-6c83-481f-abe4-d500bf7d9053\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">including a 63-yard catch<\/a><br \/>\nRanks third in receiving yards and rushing yards<br \/>\nFourth-quarter major held up as the game-winning play<\/p>\n<p>2. ROBERT KENNEDY III | DB | MONTREAL ALOUETTES | MTL 30 \u2013 HAM 27 (OT)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>One defensive tackle and one forced fumble<br \/>\n<a title=\"Original URL:&#010;https:\/\/prezlymail.com\/c\/31693340-1893-489c-8e4b-e222fc731125\/f0782f8e\/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DIpUxEntrciI&#010;&#010;Click to follow link.\" href=\"https:\/\/can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fprezlymail.com%2Fc%2F31693340-1893-489c-8e4b-e222fc731125%2Ff0782f8e%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.youtube.com%252Fwatch%253Fv%253DIpUxEntrciI&amp;data=05%7C02%7Chfung%40cfl.ca%7C8d33e0f7066d4e9e2fd208dec644f085%7C5663987f0fe34b4b9bf6d34212cdb8c0%7C1%7C0%7C639166196566506880%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=gPOniTmTNXkUwVlzdRe3uYdn3P4XIGIwpI7dsin8lT4%3D&amp;reserved=0\" data-outlook-id=\"7c7d4d1b-4511-4953-ae42-c532131a7172\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">First-career interception<\/a> returned 54 yards for first-career touchdown<br \/>\nTrailing 24-10, third-quarter pick-six sparked a 20-3 stretch that propelled Montreal to the comeback victory<\/p>\n<p>3. JAKE CERESNA | DL | WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS | WPG 30 \u2013 CGY 28<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Sack the QB \u2705<br \/>Synchronized somersaults \u2705<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f: Blue Bombers vs. Stampeders LIVE NOW!<br \/>\ud83d\udcfa: TSN, CBSSN, SiriusXM, and CFL+<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/CFLKickoff?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">#CFLKickoff<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/tZXhKUSK3h\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/tZXhKUSK3h<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 CFL (@CFL) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CFL\/status\/2063080894542618815?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">June 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Five defensive tackles<br \/>\nFirst three-sack performance to reach 49 in career<br \/>\nSix total pressures (PFF)<\/p>\n<p>2026 TOP PERFORMERS \u2013 IN REVIEW<\/p>\n<p>W1 | Justin Rankin (EDM) | Robert Kennedy III (MTL) | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfl.ca\/players\/jake-ceresna\/162428\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-ga-category=\"Clicks - Article\" data-ga-action=\"article-player-link\" data-ga-opt-label=\"Jake Ceresna\">Jake Ceresna<\/a> (WPG)<\/p>\n<p>                                <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"TORONTO \u2014 Justin Rankin, Robert Kennedy III and Jake Ceresna have been named Week 1 Players of the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":725777,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[437],"tags":[49,48,521,522,520,82],"class_list":["post-725776","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\/725776","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=725776"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/725776\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/725777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=725776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=725776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=725776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}