Do you ever wonder where the stars of the Canadian Football League (CFL) come from? It’s not just about talent; it’s about the journey they take, from draft day to becoming household names. As we gear up for the 2025 CFL Draft, let’s take a closer look at some of the top Canadian players and how they began their careers in the league.

### The Rise of Tre Ford
One shining example is Tre Ford, who emerged as the Edmonton Elks’ starting quarterback in 2022. Standing tall at six feet and weighing 192 pounds, Ford made waves during the CFL Combine and was snagged by Edmonton in the first round, eighth overall pick. Since then, Ford has showcased his skills on the field, throwing for thousands of yards and making several touchdowns.

### Brady Oliveira’s Remarkable Journey
In 2019, Brady Oliveira entered the CFL as a second-round pick for Winnipeg. Despite being chosen late in the round, Oliveira quickly rose to prominence as one of the league’s most outstanding players. With multiple Grey Cup appearances under his belt and impressive rushing stats, Oliveira has proven himself time and time again on the field.

### The Career Evolution of Cameron Judge
Cameron Judge’s path through Calgary and Toronto exemplifies resilience and adaptability in professional sports. From being drafted second overall by Saskatchewan in 2017 to returning to Toronto in 2025 after stints with other teams, Judge has shown versatility both on defense and special teams throughout his career.

### Samuel Emilus’ Impactful Presence
Selected seventh overall by Saskatchewan in 2022, Samuel Emilus may not have attended the CFL Combine that year but proved his worth on the field with impressive stats. Known for his receiving prowess and ability to find the end zone, Emilus has become an integral part of Saskatchewan’s offense.

### Kiondré Smith Making His Mark
Hailing from Hamilton Tiger-Cats as a fourth-round pick in 2022, Kiondré Smith has steadily made a name for himself in the CFL. With reliable hands and solid yardage per catch average, Smith continues to be a valuable asset to his team’s receiving corps.

### Adrian Greene’s Free Agent Success Story
Adrian Greene’s journey took an unexpected turn when he signed with Calgary Stampeders as a free agent earlier this season. While selected lower than some notable players in his draft class, Greene has proven himself on defense with significant tackles and game-changing plays throughout his career.

### Justin McInnis’ Ascendancy
In a star-studded 2019 draft class that included standout players like Oliveira and Betts, Justin McInnis emerged as a sixth overall pick known for his exceptional receiving abilities. Leading in receiving yards last season with multiple touchdowns to boot demonstrates McInnis’ impact on his team’s offensive success.

### Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund: Defensive Dominance
Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund’s selection third overall by Calgary Stampeders marked just one step towards becoming an East Division Most Outstanding Canadian player for Montreal Alouettes. His consistent performance on defense includes tackle numbers that speak volumes about his reliability under pressure.

### Tunde Adeleke: Versatile Defensive Dynamo
Drafted back in 2017 by Calgary Stampeders before moving through various teams across Canada culminating with Ottawa REDBLACKS — Tunde Adeleke epitomizes versatility on defense with impactful tackles, interceptions & special teams contributions over numerous seasons.

As we delve into these players’ journeys from draft day selections to becoming key contributors on their respective teams – each story is unique yet intertwined within this vibrant tapestry that is Canadian football tradition.