Dec 8, 2014
CFLers in the NFL
There are now a total of 16 players with CFL experience now playing in the NFL. Check out all the CFL alums, how they're doing south of the border, and how they got there.
There are now a total of 16 players with CFL experience now playing in the NFL. Check out all the CFL alums, how they're doing south of the border, and how they got there.
Brandon Browner, cornerback
NFL: Seahawks (2011-13), Patriots (2014); CFL: Stampeders (2007-10)
2014 Stats
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Tk16
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Sk0
-
Int1
-
FF0
Browner holds a unique distinction in that he's been named a league All-Star in both the CFL and NFL. Three times he was named to the CFL All-Star team while he named a Pro Bowler south of the border in 2012. After three years with the Seahawks, Browner joined the Patriots this off-season.
Tyler Clutts, fullback
NFL: Bears (2011), Texans (2012), Dolphins (2013), Cowboys (2013-14); CFL: Eskimos (2008)
2014 Stats
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REC1
-
YDS1
-
AVG1
-
TD0
The versatile Clutts moved from the defensive line to fullback when he signed in the NFL. The 30-year-old has played for four NFL teams but may have found a home with the Cowboys, the only team he's spent more than one season with.
Jerrell Freeman, linebacker
NFL: Colts (2012-14); CFL: Roughriders (2009-11)
2014 Stats
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TK94
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SK1.5
-
INT0
-
FF1
Freeman has only gotten more productive since his move to the NFL from Saskatchewan. In three seasons with the Roughriders, Freeman totaled 144 tackles, 13 sacks, and three interceptions. In three seasons with the Colts, the 28-year-old has 365 tackles, nine sacks, and three interceptions.
Andrew Hawkins, wide receiver
NFL: Bengals (2011-13), Browns (2014); CFL: Alouettes (2009-10)
2014 Stats
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REC63
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YDS824
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AVG13.1
-
TD2
Hawkins was productive in his three years with the Bengals as a receiver and kick returner, but put up a career year last season, his first with the Browns, as the team's top receiver.
Dontrelle Inman, wide receiver
NFL: Chargers (2014); CFL: Argonauts (2012-13)
2014 Stats
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REC12
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YDS158
-
AVG13.2
-
TD0
Inman used two solid years with the Argonauts to garner a shot down south with the Chargers. In his first season in the NFL, the 25-year-old was San Diego's fifth leading wide receiver.
Cordarro Law, outside linebacker
NFL: Chargers (2014); CFL: Stampeders (2012-13)
2014 Stats
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TK9
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SK1
-
INT0
-
FF0
Law used a breakout 2013 season to land a contract south of the border. The defensive end turned outside linebacker started the year on San Diego's practice roster but was promoted in time to play three games this season.
Tom Johnson, defensive tackle
NFL: Saints (2011-13), Vikings (2014); CFL: Stampeders (2009-10)
2014 Stats
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TK22
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SK6.5
-
INT0
-
FF1
After three years with the Saints, Johnson had his best season this year with the Vikings. The 30-year-old recorded 6.5 sacks, the highest single-season output of his career, NFL or CFL.
Chris Matthews, wide receiver
NFL: Seahawks (2014); CFL: Blue Bombers (2012-13)
2014 Stats
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REC0
-
YDS0
-
AVG0
-
TD0
Matthews burst onto the CFL scene in 2012 and even though injuries slowed his performance in 2013, he still earned a contract with the Seahawks. The 25-year-old started the season on Seattle's practice roster but was signed to the main squad halfway through the year.
Michael Ola, offensive lineman
NFL: Bears (2014); CFL: Alouettes (2012-13)
2014 Bears Stats
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Passing Yards327.1
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Rushing Yards237.0
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Rushing TDs8
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Sacks Allowed41
Ola spent a solid two seasons with the Alouettes, starting all 21 games he played in. The Hampton product originally signed with the Miami Dolphins but was waived before reuniting with his coach in Montreal, Marc Trestman, this time in Chicago.
Jon Ryan, punter
NFL: Packers (2006-07), Seahawks (2008-14); CFL: Blue Bombers (2004-05)
2014 Stats
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PUNTS61
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YDS2,688
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AVG44.1
-
LNG66
Ryan is the other CFL alum to have been drafted in the CFL. He's also one of the elder statesman on this list, having played in the NFL the past nine seasons. Ryan captured his first Super Bowl with the Seahawks last season.
Marcus Thigpen, wide receiver/kick returner
NFL: Dolphins (2012-13), Buccaneers (2014), Bills (2014); CFL: Tiger-Cats (2010-11)
2014 Stats
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KR12
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KR YDS285
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PR16
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PR YDS128
Thigpen was used as a triple threat during his time in the CFL with the Tiger-Cats, making plays as a running back, receiver, and returner. The 28-year-old has been used primarily as a returner in the NFL, and has three touchdowns in his three years south of the border.
Neiko Thorpe, cornerback
NFL: Chiefs (2012), Raiders (2014); CFL: Argonauts (2013)
2014 Stats
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TK8
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SK0
-
INT0
-
FF0
Thorpe's career has been unique in that his CFL stint was sandwiched in between two NFL stints. After playing a year in Kansas City, Thorpe went north and suited up for the Argonauts. Despite a truncated season in Toronto due to injury, he returned to the NFL and played the full year with the Raiders.
Marc Trestman, offensive coordinator
NFL: Ravens (2015), Bears (2013-14); CFL: Alouettes (2008-12)
2014 Stats
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W5
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L11
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O Rank21st
-
D Rank30th
Trestman made waves when he was hired as Bears' head coach in 2012. While players make the jump every year, until Trestman a head coach had yet to do so. Among CFL fans, the move legitimized the league some. Trestman's tenure ultimately didn't work out, falling to 5-11 after a promising 8-8 rookie season. Once fired, Trestman was sought after as an offensive coordinator, a position more fitting for him, and eventually signed with the Ravens.
Cam Wake, defensive end
NFL: Dolphins (2009-14); CFL: Lions (2007-08)
2014 Stats
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TK36
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SK11.5
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INT0
-
FF3
Wake is the poster boy for CFLers looking to succeed in the NFL. He was one of the best pass rushers during his short CFL stint with the Lions and carried that success to Miami where the Pro Bowler has 63 career sacks.