CFL Toronto Argonauts

Double Blue Lead the CFL with 14 Division All-Stars in 2023

Published on November 2, 2023 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release


TORONTO - The Canadian Football League announced today that the Toronto Argonauts pace the entire Canadian Football League with 14 division All-Stars. The Argos have seven East All-Stars on offense, five on defence, and two on special teams. This is the most Division All-Star the Argos have had since 1997, when they also had 14.

The Division All-Stars were selected by the local voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) in their respective division's markets and the National Chapter, as well as head coaches. Fans also took part in this year's selections through the All-Star Fan Vote.

The 2023 CFL All-Stars will be announced on Wednesday, November 8.

Toronto's East All-Stars include:

QB Chad Kelly*

RB AJ Ouellette*

C Darius Ciraco

G Ryan Hunter

OT Dejon Allen*

WR DaVaris Daniels*

WR Damonte Coxie*

DE Folarin Orimolade*

LB Wynton McManis*

CLB Adarius Pickett*

CB Qwan'Tez Stiggers*

HB Robertson Daniel*

K Boris Bede*

ST Javon Leake*

*American

QB Chad Kelly - In his second CFL season but first as a full-time starter, Kelly was 15-1 in games he started (he was injured in the second quarter and taken out of the game in the one loss) and was vital in getting Toronto to 16-2 (tied for the best regular season record ever). The Ole Miss product is second in the CFL in QB efficiency (109.6) and rushing touchdowns (8), third in passing touchdowns (23), fourth in passing yards (4,123) and 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.

RB AJ Ouellette - Ouellette, in his fourth season in Toronto, eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career after rushing for 1,009 yards, and eight touchdowns on 178 carries, all career-highs. The Ohio native also hauled in 163 receiving yards on 16 receptions and another two majors. Ouellette's rushing total was good for fourth best in the CFL and his eight rushing touchdowns were tied for second. The former Ohio Bobcat is the first Argonaut running back to go over 1,000 rushing yards since 2016.

C Darius Ciraco - Offseason acquisition Darius Ciraco started 15 games at center for the Argos, helping anchor the middle of an offensive line that has three Division All-Stars and makes his first trip to an All-Star team. The sixth overall pick in the 2018 CFL Draft by Hamilton spent his first three seasons with the Ticats before a move to Ottawa in 2022.

OG Ryan Hunter - Second-year Argonaut Ryan Hunter gets his first Division All-Star nod after starting all 18 games at guard. The Bowling Green alum played five games for the Argos last season before winning the Grey Cup with the team in November. Hunter is one of a handful of players to ever win both a Super Bowl (Kansas City, 2019) and a Grey Cup.

OT Dejon Allen - In his third season in Toronto, Allen was the team's nominee for top offensive lineman two years in a row and now gets his second consecutive Division All-Star nod. The University of Hawaii alum has started 16 of 18 games at right tackle for an offensive line that has allowed a league-low 19 sacks, 14 clear of the second-place team.

WR DaVaris Daniels - Daniels had his best season as a pro after catching 52 passes for 1,009 yards (career-high) and eight touchdowns in 17 games. The three-year Argo and seven-year CFLer led the Argos in all major receiving categories while ranking third in receiving touchdowns and ninth in receiving yards league-wide. The Notre Dame alum led the CFL with 12 catches of 30+ yards. This is Daniels' first Division All-Star award.

WR Damonte Coxie- The 26-year-old Coxie made a splash in his second CFL season hauling in 39 receptions for 787 yards and five touchdowns, ranking second on the team in all those categories. The Memphis alum led the CFL with 12.3 yards per catch and had seven receptions of at least 30 yards.

DE Folarin Orimolade - The four-year CFL veteran also had a career year in his first season in Toronto after posting 10 sacks, 36 defensive tackles, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles in 17 games. The Dartmouth alum's 10 sacks were good for sixth most in the CFL while also pacing the Argos. This is Flo's first All-Star nomination.

LB Wynton McManis - An All-Star for the second consecutive season, McManis tallied 79 defensive tackles, four sacks, four interceptions, one fumble recovery, five tackles for loss, and two touchdowns. The Memphis alum was second on the Argos in total tackles (80) and total defensive plays made (97).

CLB Adarius Pickett - The East nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player and first-year Argo is setting career-highs across the board in 2023 with 105 defensive tackles, 19 special teams tackles, five sacks, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble in 18 games played. The UCLA product's 144 total defensive plays and 5 tackles for loss rank second in the league, while he sits fourth in special teams tackles and fifth in defensive tackles. The three-year CFLer joined Toronto in free agency in early 2023.

CB Qwan'Tez Stiggers - 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 27 and 54 total turnovers. He is the East Division nominee for Most Outstanding Rookie.

HB Robertson Daniel - The third-year Argo played 11 games before an injury shut him down for the rest of the regular season but he still managed to intercept four passes, returning one for a touchdown and chipping in with 55 defensive tackles and two sacks (career-highs across the board). The BYU product had a trio of interceptions during a week four game vs. B.C. and makes his first trip to the Division All-Star team.

K Boris Bede - The strong-legged kicker becomes an East All-Star for the third time (2015, 2021, 2023) after converting 35-of-37 field goals, good for 94.9% and the best percentage in the CFL. Bede made both his field goal attempts of 50+ yards in 2023. The league's all-time leader in kick-off average once again led the CFL in that category with a 71.2 yard average, more than seven yards better than the second-ranked kicker, and even had one kickoff travel 100 yards.

ST Javon Leake - Leake had one of the best return seasons in Argonaut history. The Maryland alum leads the CFL in punt return yards (1,216, third best in CFL history), punt return average (15.0), touchdowns (4), and returns of 30+ yards (13) in 17 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 seventh in kick return yards with 793 yards. Leake is an award finalist for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.

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