CFL award rankings: BC's rising star leads West's early domination

The first six weeks of the 2022 CFL season featured action-packed games, the birth of at least one new star, and plenty of outstanding individual performances. It also proved that the West Division still reigns supreme.

Here's a look at our early rankings in the races for three of the CFL's most important awards. While both the East and West Divisions will have a finalist for each of these awards in November, these rankings look at the league as a whole, irrespective of divisional alignment.

Outstanding Defensive Player

3. Jovan Santos-Knox, Tiger-Cats

Santos-Knox has stepped up as a defensive anchor and tackling machine for the 1-4 Ticats. He recorded at least six tackles in all five games this year, and his 32 defensive tackles are tied for the league lead, putting him on pace for a rare 100-tackle season. The UMass product has also tallied one sack and one interception for good measure.

2. Cameron Judge, Stampeders

It hasn't taken long for Judge to adjust to life in Calgary. The 27-year-old has been everywhere for the Stampeders on defense, recording 24 defensive tackles, one sack, and one interception, along with two fumble returns - one for a touchdown. Judge is proving to be a versatile weapon and an anchor for the defensive unit.

1. Pete Robertson, Roughriders

Before being sidelined by a foot strain, Robertson was breaking out as a monster on the Riders' line. The second-year Texas Tech product still leads the league in both sacks (seven) and forced fumbles (three), and he tallied multiple sacks in three of his first five games. Unfortunately, that foot injury will keep him sidelined for at least another three-to-four weeks, so it'll be hard for him to keep hold of top spot. Saskatchewan already misses him: The team didn't record a sack in its Week 6 loss to the Argos.

Outstanding Canadian

3. Kian Schaffer-Baker, Roughriders

The Guelph product's building off a solid rookie season and has emerged as one of the biggest threats in a deep Saskatchewan receiving corps. Schaffer-Baker's 370 receiving yards lead all Canadian wideouts, and his 32 receptions rank third in the league.

2. Cameron Judge, Stampeders

The Montreal native is the CFL's leading Canadian tackler and has easily been the best local defender. In any other year, Judge might be a lock for the top spot on this list. Unfortunately, it might be an uphill battle just to try and get the West's Outstanding Canadian nomination.

1. Nathan Rourke, Lions

Talk about living up to the billing. Rourke's broken through as the best Canadian quarterback to hit the league in decades. The Victoria, British Columbia, native set the Canadian single-game passing record in Week 2, leads the league with 12 touchdowns while throwing only four picks, and ranks fourth in passing yards. Even in a loss to the vaunted Blue Bombers, the 24-year-old showed no fear, throwing for three TDs. It's been 42 years since a pivot last won this award. That could change soon.

Most Outstanding Player

5. Greg Ellingson, Blue Bombers

Ellingson's rediscovering his All-Star form in Winnipeg. Thanks to some instant chemistry with Zach Collaros, Ellingson leads the CFL in both receptions and receiving yards. The 33-year-old is on pace to become the league's first 1,500-yard receiver in three years and has had a massive impact on the Bombers this season.

4. Jamal Morrow, Roughriders

Morrow's been a godsend for a Roughriders offense that desperately needed someone to step up on the ground. The second-year Washington State product is the only CFL player with over 400 rushing yards thus far. He's also proven to be a versatile weapon, already racking up 1,052 combined yards through his work as a running back, receiver, and returner. The Roughriders will likely lean on him even more in Cody Fajardo's possible absence. Morrow will make the job much easier for whoever's under center.

3. Bo Levi Mitchell, Stampeders

He only ranks fifth in passing yards after six weeks of play, but Mitchell deserves praise for the quality of his play. He's brushed aside injury concerns and is slinging passes like his old, two-time MOP self to guide the Stampeders to a 4-1 start and the league's second-highest scoring offense. Mitchell's two 300-yard games are already double the number he had last year, and he's shown great chemistry with receivers Malik Henry and Reggie Beggleton. As long as Mitchell can play like this, the Stamps will have a chance.

2. Zach Collaros, Blue Bombers

The reigning MOP continues to do his thing. Collaros is the CFL's leading passer and is second in TDs. He's found immediate chemistry with Ellingson while guiding the two-time defending champions to a blistering 6-0 start. The West is obviously teeming with bona fide MOP candidates, and Collaros is doing everything in his power to be the first repeat winner since Anthony Calvillo (2008-09).

1. Nathan Rourke, Lions

Is Rourke really going to do this? The 24-year-old has passed just about every test thrown at him during his rapid rise to stardom, and he's now a legitimate threat to join a very exclusive list of Canadian MOP winners. Rourke edges the 6-0 Collaros on this list because he's got the Lions exceeding expectations and holding on to a playoff spot. Time will tell if he can maintain this pace, but it's easy to envision him making some Canadian history in November.