The Calgary Stampeders are seeing two of their brightest young talents head to the National Football League. Rookie receiver Damien Alford has signed with the New Orleans Saints, while all-star defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings has inked a deal with the Minnesota Vikings, as confirmed on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
From CFLDraft Top Pick to Saints' Prospect
The 24-year-old Alford, a Montreal native, made an immediate impact in his first professional season. Selected first overall by the Stampeders in the 2025 CFL Draft, the 6-foot-6, 224-pound target quickly became a deep threat. In his rookie campaign, he dressed for 15 regular-season games and one playoff contest, hauling in 20 passes for 407 yards and five touchdowns, averaging an impressive 20.4 yards per catch.
His signature performance came on July 12 in a win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders, where he recorded 156 receiving yards—the most by a Canadian rookie in the CFL in 34 years—and scored two touchdowns. His combination of size and speed, highlighted by a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, attracted significant NFL interest, leading to workouts with the Saints and the New York Jets in November.
Hutchings' Dominant Season Earns NFL Call
On the other side of the ball, defensive stalwart Jaylon Hutchings is also making the jump after a spectacular 2025 season. The 26-year-old started 17 games in his second year with Calgary and established himself as a force on the interior. Hutchings led all CFL defensive tackles with eight sacks and added 39 defensive tackles, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a recovery, and two knockdowns.
His formidable play earned him all-CFL honours and put him on the radar of NFL scouts. The pending CFL free-agent worked out for both the Vikings and the Cleveland Browns before finalizing his agreement with Minnesota.
Stampeders Face Off-Season Reshuffle
The dual departures come during a critical off-season for the Stampeders, who are building on an 11-8 record in 2025. General Manager and Head Coach Dave Dickenson had previously acknowledged the possibility of players attracting NFL interest. He emphasized the team's goal of retaining its core, noting that many of their best players are early in their careers, a description that fit both Alford and Hutchings perfectly.
While the loss of two key contributors is a challenge, it also underscores the Stampeders' success in identifying and developing elite talent. The moves highlight the CFL's role as a pipeline to the NFL for standout Canadian players and imports who excel in the three-down game.
