Meet the Calgary Stampeders draftees — a breakdown of the picks in the 2025 CFL Draft
The Calgary Stampeders came away from the 2025 CFL Draft feeling like they got their men.
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Especially with their first two picks — at No. 1 overall and a handful of slots later at No. 8 during Tuesday night's pick-em.
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That's receiver Damien Alford — 'the first pick was pretty easy,' cheered Stampeders director of Canadian scouting Dwayne Cameron — and offensive lineman Christopher Fortin, who 'has a lot of versatility,' continued Cameron.
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'We're very happy and can't wait to get started here (with training camp) in a week.'
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Here's the breakdown of the 10 CFL Draft picks made by the Stampeders …
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WR Damien Alford, 24 (1st round, 1st overall), 6-foot-6, 224 lb., NCAA's Utah Utes/Syracuse Orange
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The skinny: In 42 games, including 28 starts at Syracuse, the Montreal native had 67 catches for 1,291 yards – an average of 19.3 yards per catch – and seven touchdowns. Alford's most productive season with the Orange came in 2023 when he had 33 receptions for 610 yards and three scores. He played four games with Utah in 2024 and did not record any stats.
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Cameron: 'Ran a sub-4.5-second (time) in the 40 (yard dash). That kind of speed would be great for a regular-sized receiver. But at 6-foot-5, 225 (pounds), it's elite. Those are NFL first-round-type athletic traits.'
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The skinny: The product of Saint-René, Que., played 41 games over four seasons with UConn, seeing action at centre, tackle and guard. Fortin was a starter at guard for the Huskies during the 2024 season.
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Cameron: 'Played alongside two other offensive linemen (at UConn) who are now going into the NFL in the 2025 season. So it's an excellent group — they've been coached well. The kid lives in the weight room and has played a lot of high-level football for them. He's played tackle, he's played guard, and he's played centre a number of games.'
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The skinny: A converted quarterback, the Hamilton native saw action at tight end with North Dakota and also was under centre in short-yardage situations. Vaughn had 11 catches for 111 yards and one touchdown in 2024 and was a perfect 11-for-11 on keepers on short yardage. In 54 career games for the Fighting Hawks, he had 17 rushing touchdowns as well as 21 catches for 197 yards and four scores. Vaughn had four passing touchdowns in his first two seasons with North Dakota before the position switch.
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