Six Blue Bombers named CFL All-Stars
The Canadian Football League unveiled its 2023 All-Star Team today, with six members of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers named to the squad.
Honoured as CFL All-Stars are running back Brady Oliveira, receiver Dalton Schoen, guard Pat Neufeld, tackle Jermarcus Hardrick, defensive end Willie Jefferson and cornerback Demerio Houston.
The CFL All-Star Team was selected by members of the Football Reporters of Canada, the league’s head coaches as well as submissions through the All-Star Fan Vote.
Brady Oliveira earned his first spot on the CFL All-Star team after leading the league in rushing with 1,534 yards and 13 touchdowns (nine rushing, four receiving), averaging 85.2 yards per game and posting seven 100-yard contests. The West Division’s Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian Player, Oliveira also had 482 receiving yards on 38 receptions – both career highs – and his 2,016 yards from scrimmage (rushing and passing) led the CFL.
Oliveira’s rushing total is the second most by a Canadian in league history, behind only the 1,813 Jon Cornish amassed in 2013 as a member of the Calgary Stampeders, and the sixth highest total in Blue Bombers history.
Dalton Schoen followed up his rookie campaign with a stellar 2023 season, finishing with 71 receptions for 1,222 yards and 10 touchdowns in earning his second straight appearance on the CFL All-Star Team. In just 34 games as a member of the Blue Bombers, last year’s CFL Most Outstanding Rookie Player has amassed 141 receptions for 2,663 yards and 26 touchdowns. His 10 touchdowns in 2023 led all receivers.
Jermarcus Hardrick, named the West Division Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman last week, anchors the right side of the offensive line. Winnipeg’s attack not only featured the top rusher in Oliveira, but the CFL’s passing touchdowns leader in Zach Collaros while leading the league in scoring. This is Hardrick’s second CFL All-Star Team recognition, having also been selected to the squad in 2021.
Pat Neufeld has been named to his third consecutive CFL All-Star Team at the guard spot, having also been honoured in 2021 and 2022. Now in his 12th CFL season, the last nine with the Blue Bombers, he has become a fixture at the right guard spot and like Hardrick is part of an offence that was prolific in 2023.
Willie Jefferson has now been named a CFL All Star five times, also including 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021. Recently named the Blue Bombers Most Outstanding Defensive Player for a third time, Jefferson posted a team-leading 11 quarterback sacks, three forced fumbles – tied for second in the CFL – and 13 pass knockdowns, most in the league, and 21 defensive tackles.
Demerio Houston has been named a CFL All-Star for a first time after leading the league in interceptions this year with seven, despite missing three games. A dangerous ball-hawk, he also had a critical pick-6 in a close win over Calgary in August and finished with 50 defensive tackles and three fumble recoveries.
