TORONTO – The Canadian Football League announced today the team winners for the 2023 CFL Awards. The players were selected by voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and CFL head coaches.
East and West Division winners will be announced on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
The 2023 CFL Awards will be handed out Thursday, November 16, 2023, in Niagara Falls during Grey Cup week.
Toronto’s nominees include:
Most Outstanding Player: Chad Kelly (Unanimous)
Kelly, in his second CFL season but first as a full-time starter, has led the Argos to the best record in the CFL (15-2) and one of the best regular seasons in franchise history. The Ole Miss product is second in the CFL in QB efficiency (109.6) and rushing touchdowns (8), third in passing yards (4,123) and passing touchdowns (23), and fourth in completion percentage (68.5). The Buffalo native, who came in relief of the injured McLeod Bethel-Thompson in the fourth quarter of last year’s Grey Cup, and helped lead the Argos to a championship, hasn’t missed a beat in his first season as the team’s starting pivot.
Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Dejon Allen
Allen, in his third season in Toronto, is the team’s nominee for top offensive lineman two years in a row. The University of Hawaii alum has started 15 of 17 games at right tackle for an offensive line that has allowed a league-low 17 sacks, 15 clear of the second-place team. That sort of protection has allowed QB Chad Kelly to thrive and has helped pave the way for RB AJ Ouellette toward his first 1,000-yard rushing season.
Most Outstanding Canadian: Royce Metchie
Metchie, in his second season with the Boatmen, has played all 17 games so far this season, helping anchor one of the CFL’s best defenses. The Brampton, ON native, has tallied 71 defensive tackles (one shy of a career-high set last season), one interception, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown. Toronto’s defence has allowed the second-fewest offensive points in 2023 with 20.6 per game. The former Guelph Gryphon is a five-year CFL veteran, and this is his first team nomination for Most Outstanding Canadian.
Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Adarius Pickett
Pickett, who was Montreal’s nominee for MODP in 2022 gets his second nod in a row for the award. The first-year Argo is setting career-highs across the board in 2023 with 97 defensive tackles, 18 special teams tackles, five sacks, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble in 17 games played. The UCLA product’s 115 total defensive plays and 5 tackles for loss rank second in the league, while he sits fifth in defensive tackles and special teams tackles. The three-year CFLer joined Toronto in free agency in early 2023.
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Javon Leake (Unanimous)
Leake is having one of the best return seasons in Argonaut history. The Maryland alum leads the CFL in punt return yards (1,153), punt return average (15.0), and touchdowns (4) in 16 games. He has already set team records for touchdowns and punt return yards for a single season, passing Double Blue legend Michael Clemons for the latter record. The North Carolina native also ranks sixth in kick return yards with 775 yards. This is Leake’s second season in Toronto after winning the Grey Cup with the team last season.
Most Outstanding Rookie: Qwan’Tez Stiggers (Unanimous)
Stiggers, who did not play football at the collegiate level and whose only professional football experience was in the Fan Controlled Football League has proven all season he belongs. The Atlanta native is tied for second in the league with five interceptions while adding 53 defensive tackles and three special teams tackles in 16 games. The 21-year-old has three interceptions in his last four games for a Toronto team that paces the CFL with 25 and 49 total turnovers.