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“Now that I got drafted it’s back to football now, getting myself ready to play pro,” Alford said during a video conference. “I’m just happy for the most part.”

Alford, of Montreal, transferred to Utah after four seasons at Syracuse, where he had 67 catches for 1,291 yards and seven TDs. Alford appeared in four games with Utah last season and although the six-foot-five, 224-pound receiver didn’t record any statistics, he has both size and speed (4.46-second 40-yard dash time).

Alford also addresses a need for Calgary, which lost Cole Tucker to retirement during the off-season. But Alford admits he’s going to need a little time to get acclimated to the Canadian game.

“Obviously I’ve been in the (U.S.) a long time but I understand the Canadian rules,” he said “I understand the waggle, I understand how the field is bigger and everything.

“Obviously I’m going to need to adapt because I’ve been on an American field for the most part and (in) American games. Once it comes down to practice, it’s really shaking off the rust and getting used to it.”

The selection was the first of four Calgary had in the first 20 picks of the draft. It marked the first time since 2014 that the Stampeders had the first overall selection.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats took Windsor linebacker Devin Veresuk second overall. The six-foot-two, 240-pound Windsor, Ont., native recorded 160 tackles (14 for loss), nine sacks, an interception and two forced fumbles with the Lancers.

The Ottawa Redblacks went for another receiver at No. 3, taking Montana’s Keelan White. The six-foot-two, 190-pound native of North Vancouver, B.C., had 161 catches for 1,862 yards and 14 touchdowns over his collegiate career and was the school’s MVP in 2023.

鈥淜eelan is a productive, versatile receiver, who brings dependability and football intelligence to our club,” said Ottawa GM Shawn Burke. “We’re extremely pleased to welcome him to the Ottawa Redblacks.鈥�

The Saskatchewan Roughriders followed with Bowling Green defensive lineman Ali Saad. The six-foot-three, 280-pound Windsor native was a two-year starter in college, recording 35 tackles (14 for loss), nine sacks and four forced fumbles.

The Montreal Alouettes shored up their offensive line by selecting UNLV’s Tiger Shanks. The six-foot-five, 325-pound Shanks started 51 games over four seasons with the Rebels and twice was a first-team All-Mountain West selection.

Wyoming linebacker Connor Shay went sixth overall to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The six-foot-one, 227-pound Shay started only one season at the school, registering 76 tackles (7.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks and an interception in 2024.

The Grey Cup-champion 海角社区官网Argonauts looked to defence with the seventh pick, taking Montreal defensive lineman Jeremiah Ojo. The six-foot-two, 240-pound Ojo was a first-team All-Canadian the last two seasons and posted a 4.59-second time over 40 yards at the CFL combine.

Calgary completed the opening round by taking UConn offensive lineman Christopher Fortin. The six-foot-five, 300-pound native of St-Rene, Que., was just a one-year starter in college but did suit up for 41 games.

The Edmonton Elks and B.C. Lions made their first selections in the second round.

Edmonton took Queen’s defensive lineman Darien Newell with the second pick of the second round, No. 10 overall. The six-foot-two, 289-pound Newell, of Brampton, was the top-ranked U Sports player on the CFL scouting bureau’s list at No. 8, moving up eight spots from the release of the winter list in December.

And with good reason. Newell was a perennial All-Canadian, registering 92 tackles (56 solo, 27.5 for loss), 17 sacks and a forced fumbles. But Edmonton might have to wait for Newell, who has a hearing slated in regards to positive doping test that could impact his availability for the ‘25 CFL season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2025.