Insight and Analysis
November 11, 2015
Argonauts.ca Staff
Toronto – The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced today that Toronto Argonauts receiver Vidal Hazelton has been named the East Division’s Most Outstanding Rookie.
With this nomination, Argonauts players have earned East Division Outstanding Rookie honours in back-to-back seasons. In 2014, breakout rookie DE Tristan Okpalaugo represented the East as the top rookie. Other former Argonauts who have been recognized as East Outstanding Rookies include Derrell ‘Mookie’ Mictchell (1997), Rocket Ismail (1991), Gill “The Thrill” Fenerty (1987), Willie Pless (1986), Cedric Minter (1981), Dave Newman (1980), Neil Lumsden (1976) and Sam Cvijanovich (1974). Mitchell, Fenerty and Cvijanovich are the only three Argos to go on and be named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie.
Hazelton played a major role in the Argonauts’ offensive success in his first season. In 16 starts, the Staten Island native reeled in a team-high 70 passes for 803 receiving yards, and average of 11.5 yards per catch, and six touchdowns (fourth-most on the team). He led all East Division true rookie receivers in receptions and receiving yards to close the 2015 regular season while catching 64.8% of the 108 passes he was targeted on.
The University of Cincinnati product recorded his first 100-yard yard receiving game on August 3 at Hamilton when he posted 10 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown. Hazelton caught at least four passes in 13 of his 17 passes this season, and went on a stretch of nine games where he recorded 4+ receptions.
The players were selected by voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and CFL head coaches. During this ballot, FRC representatives from each eastern CFL city plus the respective East head coach submitted votes for the six categories, including Outstanding Rookie.
The Shaw CFL Awards Show will be hosted on Thursday, November 26 at the Club Regent Event Centre in Winnipeg, MB.