Blue Bombers announce team nominees for CFL’s Most Outstanding Player Awards

The Canadian Football League (CFL) has revealed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ six nominees for the 2024 Most Outstanding Player Awards, as selected by the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and CFL head coaches.

Brady Oliveira leads nominations with dual honours

Winnipeg native and standout running back Brady Oliveira has once again been named the Blue Bombers’ nominee for both Most Outstanding Player (MOP) and Most Outstanding Canadian (MOC).

This is the second straight season Oliveira has earned these nominations. He was the CFL’s top Canadian in 2023 and finished as runner-up for the MOP award behind Toronto’s Chad Kelly.

Oliveira is closing in on his second consecutive CFL rushing title with one game left in the regular season, currently leading the league with 1,318 rushing yards. He has recorded 1,783 yards from scrimmage, including 465 receiving yards, marking his third straight 1,000-yard rushing season.

At just 26, Oliveira ranks eighth in Blue Bombers’ history with 4,282 career rushing yards.

Tyrell Ford nominated for Most Outstanding Defensive Player

In his first season as a starting cornerback, Tyrell Ford has made a major impact, leading the Blue Bombers with seven interceptions—just one shy of the league leader.

Ford, who was the team’s first pick in the 2022 CFL Draft, has added 47 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, and 10 pass knockdowns, showcasing his prowess in the defensive backfield.

Stanley Bryant continues dominance as top offensive lineman

Veteran left tackle Stanley Bryant, already the most decorated offensive lineman in CFL history, has been named the Blue Bombers’ Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman for the sixth time.

A four-time winner of the league’s top lineman award, Bryant remains a key figure in protecting quarterback Zach Collaros and paving the way for the league’s rushing leader, Brady Oliveira.

Sergio Castillo makes history with second nomination for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player

Placekicker Sergio Castillo has set a new CFL record with nine field goals from 50-plus yards this season, earning his second nomination as the Blue Bombers’ Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.

Castillo has connected on 80.7 per cent of his field goals and continues to be a reliable force for Winnipeg’s special teams.

Coach Mike O’Shea spoke highly of Castillo on Wednesday after practice.

Rookie receiver Ontaria Wilson nears milestone season

Florida State product Ontaria Wilson has been named Winnipeg’s Most Outstanding Rookie after leading the team with 943 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

He needs just 57 more yards in the regular season finale to reach 1,000 yards, putting him on pace to join Dalton Schoen and Chris Matthews as recent rookie receivers to achieve the milestone.

O’shea spoke highly of Wilson last month.

The next round of voting will determine the West and East Division winners, with the final CFL Most Outstanding Player Awards set to be announced during Grey Cup week in Vancouver.