CFL Calgary Stampeders

Stamps' Finalists for CFL Awards Announced

Published on October 31, 2018 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Calgary Stampeders News Release


Six different players make up the list of Calgary Stampeders nominees for the 2018 Canadian Football League player awards.

For the third time in four years, quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell is the team's nominee for Most Outstanding Player while middle linebacker Alex Singleton is tabbed as the Most Outstanding Canadian nominee for a second year in a row. Other team finalists are Micah Johnson (Most Outstanding Defensive Player), Jameer Thurman (Most Outstanding Special Teams Player), Derek Dennis (Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman) and Tre Roberson (Most Outstanding Rookie).

Calgary's nominees were determined by voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) as well as one vote from the Stampeders coaching staff.

Here is a closer look at the Stampeders' nominees:

Bo Levi Mitchell (Most Outstanding Player): The seven-year veteran has surpassed the 4,000-yard mark in passing for a fourth consecutive season and needs 154 yards in the Stamps' final regular-season game to crack the 5,000-yard plateau for the second time in his career. Mitchell has completed 336 of 553 passes for 4,846 yards and a league-leading 34 touchdowns. He also is tops in the CFL with 39 completions of at least 30 yards and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 2.43. Mitchell has five 300-yard games including a 491-yard performance that represents a single-game high for all CFL quarterbacks in 2018. The Katy, Tex., native was previously the Stamps MOP nominee in 2015 and 2016 and he won the league award in that category in 2016.

Micah Johnson (Most Outstanding Defensive Player): The veteran defensive tackle has established a single-season career high with 13 sacks so far in 2018 and, heading into the final week of the season, he ranks second in the CFL sack race. The sixth-year Stamp out of the University of Kentucky also has 25 defensive tackles including two tackles for a loss, one special-teams tackle, one interception, two knockdowns and a team-leading three forced fumbles. In addition to his pass-rushing prowess, Johnson has been a key component to a run defence that has allowed a league-low 88.8 rushing yards per game.

Alex Singleton (Most Outstanding Canadian): Singleton heads into the final week of regular-season play with a league-leading 115 defensive tackles. He's just the second Canadian player in CFL history to record multiple 100-tackle seasons. The Montana State alum also has six special-teams tackles, one fumble recovery, two forced fumbles and one knockdown. As the middle linebacker, he plays an integral role in a defence that has allowed a league-low 18.5 points per game.

Derek Dennis (Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman): Dennis earns Calgary's nomination for the award for the second time in his career. He was previously nominated in 2016 when he went on to win the league award. Dennis has started all 17 games at the critical left tackle position as he helps protect quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell's blind side. He has been part of an offensive line that is tied for the fewest sacks allowed in the CFL this season with 27.

Jameer Thurman (Most Outstanding Special Teams Player): In addition to being the Stamps' starting weak-side linebacker, Thurman has been a mainstay on punt and kickoff cover teams and is tied for eighth in the CFL with 17 special-teams tackles. He has been part of a punt-return cover team that has allowed a league-low 8.2 yards per return this season.

Tre Roberson (Most Outstanding Rookie): Roberson won the starting job at boundary cornerback during training camp and, except for two games missed due to injury, has remained at that position all season. He is tied for second on the team with three interceptions and has been part of a defence that has yielded a league-low 11 passing touchdowns this season. In 15 games, Roberson has 48 tackles including two tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and five knockdowns.

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