The Ottawa REDBLACKS have selected Offensive Lineman from Giordano Vaccaro out of Purdue University first overall in the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft.
Vaccaro, a Winnipeg native spent three seasons with the Manitoba Bisons seeing time at Left Tackle and both guard positions before heading down to Purdue for the 2025 Season. He was named JP Metras Lineman of the year (2024), Canada west Lineman of the year (2024), First Team All-Canadian (2023-2024) and Canada West All-Star (2023-2024).
“We’re excited to welcome Giordano to the REDBLACKS organization,” said Head Coach and General Manager Ryan Dinwiddie. “He has impressed us at every step of this process, from what he’s put on tape to getting to know him as a person and talking with his coaches at Purdue and the University of Manitoba. We can’t wait to get him in the building and on the field next week and we’re excited to welcome Giordano and his family to the nation’s capital”
Ottawa has selected 1st overall 3 times in franchise history and have gone offensive line all three times. Vaccaro joins Alex Mateas (2015) and Dontae Bull (2023).
It was made clear from Ryan Dinwiddie, Shawn Burke and Chad Hudson that Vaccaro was someone they really liked and believe he will be part of the culture that they are trying to create in Ottawa.
Ottawa entered the 2nd round with the 10th overall pick, however they ended up trading down to 13th Overall and acquiring a 2027 second round pick with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Ottawa had recently traded a 2027 2nd round pick to Toronto as part of the Luiji Vilian trade.
At 13th Overall, the club selected Tight End/Fullback Émeric Boutin out of Laval. The Rouge et Or product suited up for 9 games in 2025 and put up nine receptions for 88 and one touchdown. He was named to the RSEQ and USports First Team All-Star in 2024 and 2025.
When asked during the post draft scrum about Boutin, when asked about why Boutin was the guy for the team had 13 Vice President of Football Operations Shawn Burke said “He stirred the drink there. They had him move around all around offensively. Played some slot, did some tight end stuff, did some stuff out of the backfield”
The club didn’t have a pick in the 3rd round
The clubs next pick was 31st overall in the 4th round. They selected defensive lineman Charlie Parks out of Saskatchewan. In three seasons (2023-2025) with the Huskies, Parks would suit up for 23 games recording 53 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. 2025 season would see him help the Huskies to a Vanier Cup appearance, putting up 30 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 12 games played. He was named Canada West Most Outstanding Lineman, USports First-Team All-Canadian and a finalist for the JP Metras Trophy.
Ottawa would have two picks the in the fifth round, selecting offensive lineman Alassane Diouf out of Montréal with the 39th overall pick and linebacker Benjamin Dobson out of Calgary 41st overall.
Diouf, played 32 games over his four seasons with the University of Montreal Carabins. The 6’2 305-pound Sherbrooke, Quebec native is a three-time RSEQ All-Star (2023-2025), three-time All-Canadian First-Team (2023-2025) and 2025 RSEQ Offensive Lineman of the year.
“Diouf is a killer, he’s just like Vaccaro in a lot of ways. He’s a little more technical but he is super tought. When you watch his fil, he’s putting guys down on the ground” said Chad Hudson, Director of Canadian Scouting and Football Analytics
Dobson, suited up for 27 games with the Dinos through four seasons (2022-2025) registered 92 total tackles, five tackels for loss, 1.5 quarterback sacks, seven pass defended, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The 6’1 Cochrane, Alberta native suited up for 6 games in 2025.
“He could play some snaps all over the field. He’s really versatile” said Chad Hudson, Director of Canadian Scouting and Football Analytics.
REDBLACKS went for future consideration in the 6th round as they selected Ottawa Native Rene Konga 48th overall.
Konga, who had signed a Undrafted Free Agency Contract with the Miami Dolphins shortly after the completion of the 2026 NFL Draft was the Number 3 prospect on the CFL Scouting Bureau Spring Edition.
The 6’4 300-pound defensive tackle played in 23 games in two seasons with the University of Louisville registering 49 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, four quarterback sacks, and six pass defended. He began his collegiate career with Rutgers, playing in 21 games over three seasons and registering 14 total tackles, three tackle for loss, two quarterback sacks, two pass defended and one forced fumble.
Ottawa didn’t have a 7th round pick
For the final selection of the 2026 Canadian Draft, the REDBLACKS selected Linebacker Josh Connors out Wilfrid Laurier 66th overall.
Connors, suited up for only five games in his lone season (2025) registering 10.5 tackles with Wilfrid Laurier after spending the previous three seasons (2021-2023) at St. Francis Xavier. With the X-Men, he registered 86.5 total tackles, 4.5 quarterback sacks, seven tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one interception.
“Connors flew under the radar, and that’s because he had some injuries, He is a special teams demon and tough guy” said Chad Hudson, Director of Canadian Scouting and Football Analytics
Global Draft Outcome
The REDBLACKS had the 1st overall and 10th Overall picks in the CFL Global Draft. They selected South African Punter Aidan Laros From the University of Kentucky 1st Overall and Netherlands Kicker Paul Geelen from the University of Southern Illinois 10th Overall.
Laros, a Cape Town, South African native spent two seasons (2024-2025) at the University of Kentucky playing in 24 games. He posted 82 Punts for 3,679 yards and a 44.86 punt yard average. Prior to joining University of Kentucky, he spent time with UT Martin and the University of Charlotte. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 2026 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent.
Geelan, a Utrecht, Netherlands native spent two seasons (2024-2025) at Southern Illinois playing in 24 games. He posted 90 punts for 3,803 yards for an average of 42.3 punt yard average and a long 65 yards. On top of punting, he took care of place kicking duties converting 25 out of 32 field goal attempts (78.13%) with a long of 53 yards. Before heading to Southern Illinois, Geelan began his collegiate career at William Jewell College. Geelan will be attending the NFL Denver Broncos Mini Camp.
CFL Rookies will be in Ottawa Wednesday May 6 as Rookie Camps open league wide.