CFL Toronto Argonauts

Six Argonauts Named Finalists for CFL Awards

Published on November 1, 2023 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release


TORONTO - The Canadian Football League announced today the East Division nominees for the 2023 CFL Awards and Toronto is in the running for six-of-seven of the prestigious awards. The players were selected by voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and CFL head coaches.

The 2023 CFL Awards will be handed out Thursday, November 16, 2023, in Niagara Falls during Grey Cup week.

Toronto's East nominees include:

Coach of the Year: Ryan Dinwiddie

Dinwiddie, in his third season at the helm of the Double Blue, is a finalist for this award for the third consecutive season. The California native led Toronto to the best regular season record the league has ever seen at 16-2 (tied with the 1989 Edmonton Eskimos) and an Argos franchise record. The former quarterback oversaw a team that went undefeated at home (9-0), against divisional opponents (10-0) and led the CFL in touchdowns (66), offensive yards/play (7.34), sacks (68, team record), fewest sacks allowed (19), turnovers forced (54) and fewest turnovers (27). The Boatmen have won the East Division in each of Dinwiddie's first three seasons as head coach becoming just the second Argonaut coach to achieve this feat.

Most Outstanding Player: Chad Kelly

Kelly, in his second CFL season but first as a full-time starter, 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.

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 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. That sort of protection allowed QB Chad Kelly to throw for over 4,000 yards and has helped pave the way for RB AJ Ouellette toward his first 1,000-yard rushing season.

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 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.

Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Javon Leake

Leake is having 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. This is Leake's second season in Toronto after winning the Grey Cup with the team last season.

Most Outstanding Rookie: 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.

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