Calgary Stampeders announce 2025 CFL Award nominees

While we wait to see who finishes second and third in the west, the Stampeders announced their player award nominees on Wednesday.

It has been quite a season for Calgary Stampeders running back Dedrick Mills.

He leads the CFL in rushing with 1,340 yards.

He’s tied for the lead in majors with 11, and he’s the Stamps’ nominee for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player award.

Mills said he’s “really excited.”

“I’m just thankful for my teammates, thankful for the coaches and the staff, everyone that voted for me – and I’m just happy to be here,” he said.

Breakthrough season

Jalen Philpot is having his best season with the Stamps.

The fourth-year slotback has a career-best 61 catches for 831 yards, and has scored three touchdowns.

Philpot is up for the Most Outstanding Canadian award.

“I’m starting to get very comfortable in the offence and very comfortable with Vernon Adams,” he said.

“I’m starting to play like I feel I should’ve been playing early on in my career.”

Hicks surprised

Second-year defensive lineman Clarence Hicks is tied for second in the league with 11 quarterback sacks.

He’s up for the Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman award – something he says is “surprising.”

“I said all year, we had at least six people on defence that could be Defensive Player of the Year for this team, so me getting it means a lot,” he said.

Rookie has stepped up

Rookie offensive lineman Chris Fortin stepped into the role of starting centre in week 2 when Bryce Bell suffered a season-ending injury.

He’s up for the Most Outstanding Rookie award.

“It means a lot,” Fortin said.

“It just shows the work I’m doing all year and my preparation for the season, and the work I’m doing with the whole Stampeder offensive line and Zach (Williams), it’s just been great. But the job is not done.”

Williams is the Stampeders’ nominee for Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman and rookie punter Mark Vassett is the Stampeders’ choice for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.

The Stamps close out the regular season on Friday night as they travel to Edmonton to take on the Elks.