It sure was fun watching the CFL\u2019s new generation lead the way in Week 9 action over the weekend.<\/p>\n
For instance, Tyson Philpot<\/a> became the fastest Canadian receiver in league history to reach 1,000 yards<\/a> with his 184-yard outing in Montreal\u2019s 34-13 win over Ottawa. Additionally, Edmonton\u2019s Justin Rankin added another touchdown to his season tally while Zander Horvath of the Lions went for three majors to push his season total to eight.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to note, though, players like Philpot and Rankin are having their best seasons yet but have been knocking on this door for multiple seasons. But here are four players having breakout campaigns we didn\u2019t necessarily see coming.<\/p>\n RELATED TYREIK MCALLISTER | RUNNING BACK |CALGARY STAMPEDERS<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n After two seasons south of the border, Tyreik McAllister signed with the Stampeders in March and has been a one-man highlight reel ever since. McAllister\u2019s marquee night came in Week 8 when he became the first player in CFL history to score a touchdown in three different<\/a> ways (missed FG return, rushing, receiving) in the same half. But that only starts to tell the story.<\/p>\n The way Calgary is using McAllister this year reminds me of two players in recent memory. The first is Javon Leake<\/a> at different times over the last few years with the Elks. The other is Brandon Banks<\/a> in his first couple years with Hamilton when he was splitting duties as a receiver and a returner.<\/p>\n McAllister has scored a touchdown in almost every conceivable way in 2026. He picked up his second rushing touchdown as the Stamps rolled over Hamilton 44-20 on Saturday afternoon. That goes along with one receiving touchdown, two triple-digit missed field goal returns, and one punt return touchdown.<\/p>\n With the way McAllister is impacting games, I\u2019d expect Calgary to continue keeping him involved in every way they can.<\/p>\n ANTOINE BROOKS JR. | DEFENSIVE BACK | SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Now the rare owner of both a Grey Cup and Super Bowl ring, Antoine Brooks Jr. has used 2026 to establish himself as one of the most important pieces of the league\u2019s premier defence. The former sixth-round pick in the NFL became a regular with the Riders late last season and started the 112th Grey Cup at SAM.<\/p>\n And Brooks Jr. has continued that momentum this year. Brooks Jr. is tied for fourth overall with 41 defensive tackles to go along with two special teams tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. When you consider the two interceptions and one defensive touchdown he recorded last year, you get the full picture of just how much Brooks Jr. can impact a game.<\/p>\n TRAVIS THEIS | RUNNING BACK | MONTREAL ALOUETTES<\/p>\n TOUCHDOWN THEIS \ud83d\udca5<\/p>\n That\u2019s 6 straight games with a touchdown!<\/p>\n \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f: Alouettes vs. REDBLACKS LIVE NOW \u2014 CFL (@CFL) August 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n After being used sparingly early, Travis Theis has emerged as one of the league\u2019s most consistent weapons since Week 3. Anyone playing CFL Fantasy presented by theScore Bet can attest to just that. Case in point: Theis extended his touchdown streak to six games by finding the end zone in Montreal\u2019s 34-13 win over the REDBLACKS on Friday<\/a>.<\/p>\n Theis\u2019s overall numbers are impressive. In six games since cementing his role as Montreal\u2019s starting tailback, Theis has racked up 549 rushing yards and six touchdowns while adding 109 receiving yards on 18 catches. The emergence of Theis has made the Alouettes even more intimidating as they already boast one of the league\u2019s deadliest passing attacks.<\/p>\n ZY ALEXANDER | DEFENSIVE BACK | CALGARY STAMPEDERS<\/p>\n CALGARY\u2019S D IS COOKING \ud83e\uddd1\u200d\ud83c\udf73<\/p>\n Zy Alexander comes down with the Stampeders\u2019 fourth pick of the night!<\/p>\n \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f: Stampeders vs. Blue Bombers LIVE NOW!
\u00bb Tommy Stevens<\/a>\u00a0scores three touchdowns as Riders hold off Elks<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Stampeders stifle Tiger-Cats to earn road win<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Alexander powers Alouettes past REDBLACKS for fifth straight win<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Salter, Horvath power Lions over Bombers<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Sign up and watch CFL games on CFL+ in the U.S. and Internationally<\/a><\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcfa: TSN, RDS, CBSSN and CFL+#CFLGameDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/jD7V1tqgDl<\/a><\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcfa: TSN, RDS and CFL+#CFLGameDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/DJWiBHLZMU<\/a><\/p>\n