11 Blue Bombers named Divisional All-Stars
WINNIPEG, MB., November 2, 2022 – The Canadian Football League today unveiled its 2022 divisional all-star teams, with 11 members of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers named to the West squad.
Honoured as West Division All-Stas are quarterback Zach Collaros, receiver Dalton Schoen, offensive tackles Stanley Bryant and Jermarcus Hardrick, guard Pat Neufeld, defensive end Willie Jefferson, linebacker Adam Bighill, cornerback Winston Rose, defensive back Deatrick Nichols, dime back Donald Rutledge, Jr. and kick returner Janarion Grant.
The voting for this round was conducted by local members of The Football Reporters of Canada, the FRC’s national chapter and head coaches in the West Division.
Fans also took part in this year’s selections through the All-Star Fan Vote, powered by the CFL’s official data and technology partner, Genius Sports.
The CFL All-Star team will be announced on Thursday, November 10th.
Zach Collaros earned divisional all-star honours for the second straight year and the reigning CFL Most Outstanding Player is a candidate for the award again after a sensational season.
Collaros established new career highs in passing yards (4,183) and touchdowns (37), with the latter the highest total in the CFL this year and the second-highest in Blue Bombers franchise history.
Collaros had a touchdown-to-interception differential of 37:13 (or +24) which is tied for the ninth highest in CFL history and established a new Blue Bombers record, eclipsing the +23 total Jack Jacobs posted in 1951.
The Blue Bombers are now a remarkable 32-4 in games Collaros has started since his arrival at the trade deadline in October of 2019 – including back-to-back Grey Cup championships – making him just the second pivot in franchise history to lead the team to consecutive titles after Ken Ploen first accomplished the feat in 1961-62.
Dalton Schoen authored a superb first season in the CFL and is the West Division nominee for the league’s Most Outstanding Rookie award.
Schoen led the league in receiving yardage with 1,441 yards on 70 receptions and tied for first in touchdowns with 16 along with Caleb Evans of the Ottawa RedBlacks.
Schoen also led the CFL in second-down conversion catches, with a remarkable 41 of his 70 catches keeping the offence on the field. He also had five 100-yard receiving games this season.
Stanley Bryant is a three-time CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman – the only player in the history of the award to win it that many times – and the West Division nominee again this season.
This is his seventh divisional all-star award after also being selected in 2013-14 and 2017-21. The 36-year-old vet continues to anchor the left side of the offensive line as part of an offence that finished second in the CFL in scoring and first in touchdowns while allowing the second-fewest quarterback sacks.
Jermarcus Hardrick has been named a divisional all-star for the third time in his career after previously being selected in 2017 and in 2021. Hardrick is now in his fifth season with the Blue Bombers and remains one of the club’s vocal and inspirational leaders.
Pat Neufeld has earned his second divisional all-star berth in his 11thCFL season, the last eight with the Blue Bombers. Winnipeg finished second in rushing yards per game at 113.5, with running back Brady Oliveira reaching the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career.
Willie Jefferson was named the Blue Bombers Most Outstanding Defensive Player last week and has earned a spot on the West Division All-Star team for the fifth consecutive season after previously being named from 2017-19 and in 2021.
Jefferson led the Blue Bombers with seven sacks and has added 33 tackles, an interception for a touchdown, two forced fumbles and has 10 pass knockdowns, tied for third-most in the CFL. Earlier this season he became the first player in CFL history to record 50 sacks and 50 pass knockdowns.
Adam Bighill has been named to the West Division All-Star Team for the eighth time in his career (also: 2012-16, 2018 and 2021). The veteran middle linebacker led the club with 72 tackles, adding two quarterback sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.
Deatrick Nichols has earned a spot on the West Division All-Star Team for a second straight season. Nichols had 46 tackles, one interception and finished with eight pass knockdowns.
Winston Rose is a West Division all-star for a second time, having previously been honoured in 2019. The veteran corner finished second on the club to Bighill with 66 tackles, adding three interceptions – including one for a touchdown – a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Donald Rutledge, Jr. has been named a divisional all-star in his rookie season at the cover linebacker/dime position. He started 15 games and finished third on the team with 60 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.
Janarion Grant has been named a West Division All-Star for the first time in his career. Grant made history this year by scoring two touchdowns on punt returns and a third on a kickoff return, giving him seven in his career with the Blue Bombers and allowing him to move past Keith Stokes as the all-time leader in return touchdowns. Grant finished first in the CFL in punt return yards with 817, was third in kickoff return yards at 782 and with his rushing and receiving contributions on offence, ranks fifth in the league in combined yardage at 1,817.
