Today, the Canadian Football League revealed its 2023 All-Star Team, which includes six Winnipeg Blue Bombers players.
Brady Oliveira, the running back, Dalton Schoen, the receiver, Jermarcus Hardrick, the tackle, Willie Jefferson, the defensive end, and Demerio Houston, the cornerback, were honored as CFL All-Stars.
The Football Reporters of Canada, the head coaches of the league, and votes from the All-Star Fan Vote were used to choose the CFL All-Star Team.
Brady Oliveira, who led the league in rushing with 1,534 yards and 13 touchdowns (nine rushing, four receiving), averaging 85.2 yards per game and recording seven 100-yard games, earned his first spot on the CFL All-Star team.
In addition to setting career highs with 482 receiving yards on 38 receptions, Oliveira was also named the West Division’s Most Outstanding Player and the Most Outstanding Canadian Player. His 2,016 yards from scrimmage, which included both passing and rushing, led the CFL.
With 1,813 rushes in 2013 as a member of the Calgary Stampeders, Oliveira’s total is the second-highest by a Canadian in league history and the sixth-highest in Blue Bombers history.
Dalton Schoen had an incredible 2023 season to cap off his rookie year. He finished with 71 receptions for 1,222 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning a spot on the CFL All-Star Team for the second time in a row.
The CFL Most Outstanding Rookie Player from the previous season has accumulated 141 receptions for 2,663 yards and 26 touchdowns in just 34 games as a member of the Blue Bombers. He led all receivers in 2023 with 10 touchdowns.
The right side of the offensive line is anchored by Jermarcus Hardrick, who was named the West Division’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman last week. Along with having the best rusher in the league in Oliveira, Winnipeg’s offense also had the most passing touchdowns in the CFL in Zach Collaros, and they led the league in scoring. Hardrick was also chosen for the CFL All-Star Team in 2021, so this is his second selection to the team.
At the guard position, Pat Neufeld has been selected to his third consecutive CFL All-Star Team; he was previously recognized in 2021 and 2022. He’s currently in his twelfth season in the CFL, the last nine of which he spent with the Blue Bombers. Like Hardrick, he plays right guard and is a member of an offensive unit that proved to be effective in 2023.
As of right now, Willie Jefferson has received five CFL All Star selections, including in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. Jefferson, who was just named the Blue Bombers Most Outstanding Defensive Player for the third time, led the team in quarterback sacks with eleven, tied for second in the CFL with three forced fumbles, the most pass knockdowns in the league with thirteen, and 21 defensive tackles.
Despite missing three games this season, Demerio Houston led the CFL in interceptions with seven, earning him the title of CFL All-Star for the first time. In addition to being a dangerous ball-hawk, he finished with 50 defensive tackles, three fumble recoveries, and a crucial pick-6 in a close victory over Calgary in August.
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