For many in the NCAA, their careers end on the college football field, but for some, their football dreams simply take them north. The Canadian Football League (CFL) is the oldest professional football league in North America, and there is some damn good ball north of the border. As Chad Johnson said about his stint for the Montreal Alouettes:
"Dude, the CFL was really very surprising because everybody was good. I mean, sh*t, they were good enough to be down here playing in the NFL."
4. Damon Webb- Ohio State Buckeyes
Damon Webb, known for his MVP performance in the 2017 Cotton Bowl for the Buckeyes, has carved out a great career north of the border. He is one of the shutdown corners for the Ottawa Redblacks, where he put up an impressive 2023 campaign with 62 tackles and three interceptions. He is crucial to the Redblacks plans and will be part of a much-improved squad in 2024.
3. Vernon Adams Jr – Oregon Ducks
Vernon Adams Jr was a standout in the Pac-12 and at Eastern Washington and is now leading the new-look BC Lions on the West Coast. Adams bounced around the CFL for a little bit before finding a home in BC behind now New England Patriots QB Nathan Rourke. With Rourke heading down south for a chance in the NFL, Adams put up impressive numbers with over 4,700 yards thrown, 31 TDs through the air and another one on the ground. 2024 is set to be another big year, with most of his main targets returning to BC.
2. Chad Kelly- Ole Miss Rebels
Chad Kelly, Jim Kelly's nephew, has really found his form north of the border. Kelly is leading the Toronto Argonauts and has led the reformation of the Argos to a true contender in the east. In fact, his 2023 campaign was good enough to get him CFL Most Outstanding Player of the Year with over 4,100 yards thrown, 23 TDs through the air and eight on the ground. Kelly will look to lead the double blue to another successful campaign this upcoming season and hopefully lift the Grey Cup.
1. Zach Collaros – Cincinnati Bearcats
The former Cincinnati Bearcat has been one of the top players in the CFL for years and was named the top player in TSN's Top 50 CFL players list in back-to-back years in 2022 and 2023. The 35-year-old QB has won three Grey Cups and two Most Outstanding Player of the Year and is well-positioned for another great year in 2024. Now, he might be known as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers QB, but in the off-season, Collaros has been rubbing elbows with the rich and famous by featuring in the Kelce family box during the Bills-Chiefs game earlier this year. Maybe Travis will want to hook up with his ex-QB and play out a year in the Peg?
The CFL is great ball and kicks off this Summer and be watched on ESPN and on TSN here in Canada.