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Features April 30, 2025

Say What: “We Got The Guy We Wanted”

The 2025 CFL Draft wrapped up Tuesday night with the Stampeders selecting 10 Canadian prospects, including the first-overall pick which they haven’t been in possession of since drafting OL Pierre Lavertu in 2014.

VIEW CALGARY’S 10 PICKS HERE

Catch up on what was said on draft night:

General manager and head coach Dave Dickenson on selecting Utah receiver Damien Alford first overall:

“He’s got rare highway speed, 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, 4.46 (40-yard dash). There are some very successful receivers in our league that don’t have those measurables.

“The main thing we looked at was his character. We weren’t sure what happened last year at Utah, but we got a lot of good reports from their coaches, he was a captain at Syracuse, and I think he’ll be a great addition to our room. Vernon (Adams Jr.) loves big receivers, and we certainly want to surround him with as many weapons as possible.”

First-overall pick Damien Alford on hearing his name called:

“I was shocked, but also relieved at the same time because now that I got drafted it’s back to football mode now and getting myself ready to play pro.

Alford on adjusting to the Canadian game:

“Obviously, I’ve been in the States for a long time. But I understand the Canadian rules, I understand the waggle, how the field is bigger and everything. Honestly, I will need to adapt since I’ve been playing on American fields and American games, but really it comes down to once I get to practice and shaking off the rust and getting used to it.”

Alford on joining an offence with QB Vernon Adams Jr. and Calgary’s current receiving corps:

“It’s probably going to take me 24 hours to fully process because I’m just taking it in right now. I’ve worked out with Vernon in the past when I was with Syracuse, he came down from Montreal and worked out. The receiving group, I’m going to reach out to them today or tomorrow and let them know I’m ready to work. Whatever wisdom they have for me, I’m ready to take it in. I’m going to be the new kid on the block, so I have to be ready to adapt to them.”

Alford on playing different spots at receiver when called upon:

“At Syracuse I played in the slot, I played outside, I even played tight end sometimes so wherever the coaches need me to be I’ll be. As long as I’m playing football and competing every day, that’s really what matters.”

Stapmeders’ CFL draft coordinator Dwayne Cameron’s overall thoughts on the team’s 2025 CFL draft class:

“I thought it was a good draft. Within the last few days there have been some changes, a couple guys got UDFA (undrafted free agents) opportunities in the NFL which changed the board a little bit. At number one that didn’t really affect us, we got the guy that we wanted. We’re very happy and can’t wait to get started here in a week.”

Cameron on the decision-making surrounding the first-overall pick and selecting Damien Alford:

“When you do have it, you want to hit a homerun with it. It’s not just about getting a good football player but getting somebody hopefully that has transcendent athletic abilities and traits, a one-of-one, and we certainly think that’s what Damien is and we’re excited to have him in the building.

“Those kinds of guys, having coached the secondary here the past four years, if I were to equate it to basketball, it’s like trying to cover a power forward with point guards. Those big receivers are tough, you don’t have a natural answer for them. So, whether it’s (Alford), Dominique Rhymes, or Tevin Jones, we’re really excited to have those big body receivers in our room this year.”