Calgary Stampeders bring back top CFL draft pick Damien Alford after NFL stint

The Calgary Stampeders have signed Canadian receiver Damien Alford, the team announced on Wednesday.

The six-foot-five, 224-pound target signed with the New Orleans Saints in January after an NFL workout tour that also included a stop with the New York Jets. He was waived by the team last month.

“We have been tracking Damien since he was released in the NFL,” said head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson in a statement. “He is a special talent. He will make us even more explosive as an offence. We are excited to bring him back.”

The 25-year-old was the first overall pick in the 2025 CFL Draft. He played 15 regular-season games with the Stampeders as a rookie, making 20 receptions for 407 yards and five touchdowns. He started six regular-season games and one playoff game.

The Montreal native played four games during his final collegiate season at the University of Utah in 2024 but did not record any receptions. He previously played at Syracuse University, where he caught 67 passes for 1,291 yards and seven touchdowns.

Alford attended Calgary’s recent win over the Montreal Alouettes at Percival Molson Stadium.

“I’m really happy I’m back. The guys embraced me well. When I was at the Montreal game, they were like, ‘Hurry up and get back!'” said the receiver after practice on Wednesday. “Being back feels good, it feels like I’m back home.”

Alford indicated he could play this week when the Stampeders travel to play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday night.

Calgary has also signed American defensive back Lance Boykin.

The six-foot-two, 207-pound defender played one regular-season game with the Seattle Seahawks after joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He has since played 19 games with the Memphis Showboats and Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League.

The 25-year-old played collegiately at Old Dominion and Coastal Carolina, earning a second-team all-Sun Belt Conference selection as a senior.

The Calgary Stampeders (2-4) will visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-2) at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday, July 24 with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT. The Stampeders lost to the Montreal Alouettes in a failed comeback bid this past week, while the Blue Bombers defeated the Ottawa Redblacks in overtime.

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