Edit: 3DownNation
The Canadian Football League’s Global program enters its seventh season in 2026, giving players from outside Canada and the United States a chance to carve out a professional career.
The 2026 CFL Global Draft will take place on Wednesday, April 29, at 1:00 p.m. ET, featuring two rounds of selections. In total, 91 players from outside the U.S. and Canada are eligible to be picked.
Since launching in 2021, All22 Global has become a leader in verified data collection and talent evaluation in the international football marketplace. For the past several months, a select group of All22 scouts, led by me and former Calgary Stampeders area scout Brett Morgan, has undertaken an extensive evaluation process for each of the top prospects.
Samit Bariana (QB & RB), Lorenz Leinweber (DL & LB), Alexander Durazo (OL), Zeljko Novak (TE & WR), Guglielmo Perasole (DB), Josh French (PK & PT), and Henry Yuan (intern) have contributed film-based reports to this project, which have then been cross-checked and combined with a proprietary formula to produce final prospect rankings.
As always, the CFL selection process will be influenced by the changing NFL landscape, which has seen an increased number of players receive opportunities through the International Player Pathway Program. Franchises also approach the draft with vastly different strategies, and there is information that our team may not be privy to, ranging from player interest levels to Visa concerns, that may influence the selection order. However, these are our objective rankings based on the best available data.
Here are our top 10 position players. Check back later when we’ll reveal our highest-graded specialists.
A note on NFL Draft picks…
You will not find two of the best talents eligible for this year’s Global Draft on the following list. German tight end Marlin Klein was selected in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, while British tight end Seydou Traore was taken in the fifth round by the Miami Dolphins. CFL teams are still free to select either player, but no NFL-drafted position player has ever been taken in the Global Draft due to the incredibly low likelihood of a return on investment.
Both tight ends are elite athletes with unicorn-like testing measurables, and Traore may have been especially attractive to CFL teams given his ability to contribute from receiver alignments. Those same traits should afford each extended opportunities in the NFL, even if they fail at their first destination. Futures picks — those used on players who aren’t immediately available — are an established part of the CFL Draft process, but with those selected highly in the NFL Draft, the juice often isn’t worth the squeeze.
Note: All measurements are listed in scouting format. 6042 can be read as six feet, four inches, and two eighths. The lead scout responsible for the initial report is named at the end of each description.
Photo courtesy: Wake Forest Athletics
1) OL Fa’alili Fa’amoe, Wake Forest University (American Samoa)
HT: 6053 | WT: 314 | HND: 105 | ARM: 337 | WNG: 820
BP: 25 | VJ: 28.5 | BJ: 8090 | 10YD: 1.79 | 40YD: 5.25 | 3C: 7.99 | SS: 4.96
A former three-star recruit along the defensive line, Fa’amoe flipped to the offensive line ahead of his third season at Washington State and has been a three-year starter at right tackle across two schools. The six-f00t-five, 314-pound blocker has a stout frame with good length and the raw power to generate displacement at the point of attack in the run game. The native of Pago Pago flashes a firm punch and strong anchor as a pass protector, though he has struggled when handling elite speed off the edge and falls victim to inside moves. Fa’amoe had significant NFL interest, attending the East-West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Combine, but went undrafted and remains unsigned due to medical red flags. If CFL teams are comfortable with that risk, he projects as a potential starter at tackle or a top-tier guard for a team willing to use one. — Alexander Durazo
2) LB/DL Mapalo Mwansa, Nottingham Caesars (England)
HT: 6023 | WT: 230 | HND: 100 | ARM: 334 | WNG: 774
BP: 25 | VJ: 38.5 | BJ: 10050 | 10YD: 1.66 | 40YD: 4.63 | 3C: 7.14 | SS: 4.40
It was CFL scouts who first identified Mwansa at a regional combine in the U.K. over a year ago, but he did not meet the age requirement for last year’s draft, and the NFL swooped in. The six-foot-two, 230-pound defender spent last season on the Carolina Panthers’ practice roster and remains under contract, which could mean he is a year closer to being available to CFL teams. A springy, developmental athlete who picked up football for the first time in 2023, the Peterborough native plays with a high motor to overcome his understandably raw technique and has the athleticism to shape into a rotational defensive end in the three-down game. In the meantime, his speed and size make him a potentially impactful special teams player. — Lorenz Leinweber
3) DL Wilfried Pene, Virginia Tech University (France)
HT: 6020 | WT: 283 | HND: 94 | ARM: 320 | WNG: 777
BP: 29 | VJ: 30 | BJ: 8080 | 10YD: 1.69 | 40YD: 4.91 | 3C: 7.44 | SS: 4.44
A disruptive, one-gap penetrator along the defensive interior, Pene is quick off the ball and possesses a good rip move when working a half-man. The six-foot-two, 283-pounder is stout enough to hold up on initial contact, maintains good leverage and uses his hands well to disengage, despite lacking ideal size or length. The Frenchman briefly signed with the New England Patriots last season, but was released due to a Visa issue and has flipped his focus to the CFL, making him available right away. He projects as a rotational CFL defensive tackle on Day 1, with the physical traits to grow into a larger role. — Lorenz Leinweber
Photo courtesy: Soundfall LLC/West Virginia Athletics
4) DL Edward Vesterinen, West Virginia University (Finland)
HT: 6032 | WT: 284 | HND: 93 | ARM: 314 | WNG: 762
BP: 25 | VJ: 31.5 | BJ: 9000 | 10YD: 1.70 | 40YD: 5.12 | 3C: 7.19 | SS: 4.39
A smaller-framed defensive tackle with below-average length, Vesterinen’s lateral quickness and motor have made him a valuable piece of the Mountaineers’ defence, generating opportunities for others on stunts and twists despite a limited pass-rush toolbox. The six-foot-three, 284-pounder has a good first step and keeps working to make second-effort tackles in the run game, though he lacks the bulk to consistently hold up to double teams. The Helsinki native has a rookie mini-camp tryout scheduled with the Minnesota Vikings, but should be available to CFL teams in the near future and could be a capable rotational contributor. — Lorenz Leinweber
5) OL Paul Rubelt, University of Central Florida (Germany)
HT: 6104 | WT: 313 | HND: 100 | ARM: 357 | WNG: 832
BP: 26 | VJ: 32 | BJ: 9080 | 10YD: 1.79 | 40YD: 4.99 | 3C: 8.01 | SS: 4.68
A genuine athletic freak who wouldn’t look out of place playing in the NBA, Rubelt’s immense wingspan and initial quickness allow him to extend the arc for pass rushers like few others. However, his height comes with limitations, as the six-foot-10, 313-pound left tackle lacks the flexibility and bend needed to set anchor or properly position blocks in space. The Frankfurt native’s developmental upside is huge, which is why he’s signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. CFL teams may have a long wait for his services, as players with unique measurables are generally given every opportunity to fail before the NFL finally gives up. — Alexander Durazo
6) DL Jeffrey M’Ba, Southern Methodist University (Gabon/France)
HT: 6050 | WT: 310 | HND: 105 | ARM: 337 | WNG: 800
BP: 22 | VJ: N/A | BJ: 8080 | 10YD: 1.82 | 40YD: 5.13 | 3C: 8.06 | SS: 4.88
An imposing physical presence at defensive tackle, M’Ba plays with good leverage and utilizes his length to control the line of scrimmage with heavy hands. As a pass rusher, the six-foot-five, 310-pound nose is unrefined and one-dimensional, translating his raw power into an effective bull rush but struggling to finish. Already old for a developmental prospect at 27 years old, the Washington Commanders signed him to an undrafted free agent contract that includes significant guarantees, which could mean an extended wait for CFL teams. That is less attractive for a player whose style of play and lack of mobility are better suited to the American game than the Canadian one. — Lorenz Leinweber
Photo courtesy: Chad Williams/Franklin College Athletics
7) DL Jireh Ojata, Purdue University (Nigeria)
HT: 6032 | WT: 268 | HND: 94 | ARM: 332 | WNG: 817
BP: 19 | VJ: 30 | BJ: 10000 | 10YD: 1.61 | 40YD: 4.78 | 3C: 7.38 | SS: 4.43
A standout at Division III Franklin College who flashed potential in limited reps after transferring to Purdue, Ojata got a look from the Kansas City Chiefs last season, but didn’t catch on and should be available to CFL teams right away. A thick, square, even-front defensive end, he’s won with physicality rather than explosiveness and finesse, showing a lack of bend as a pass rusher that makes the bull rush his go-to. Given his frame and skillset, the six-foot-three, 268-pounder should provide inside-outside versatility at the CFL level and may be better suited to playing defensive tackle, where he’ll bring rotational value. — Lorenz Leinweber
8) OL Mark Petry, Syracuse University (Germany)
HT: 6042 | WT: 298 | HND: 101 | ARM: 330 | WNG: 820
BP: 21 | VJ: 30 | BJ: 9020 | 10YD: N/A | 40YD: N/A | 3C: 8.14 | SS: 4.85
Petry missed the entirety of the 2025 season while recovering from a torn ACL, which substantially affected his NFL stock. When healthy, the six-foot-four, 298-pound blocker has been a versatile piece for the Orange offence, starting at right tackle in 2023 and right guard in 2024. The former handball player fires off the ball well with fluid hips and is physical in a phone booth, with a solid ability to climb to the second level. He is a functional athlete in pass protection but gets caught leaning at times, which leads to difficulty resetting his hands. The German projects as a reliable CFL guard prospect with potential upside at tackle, which aids his chances to make a roster compared to others in this class. — Alexander Durazo
9) DL Maurice Heims, University of Idaho (Germany)
HT: 6053 | WT: 241 | HND: 100 | ARM: 336 | WNG: 784
BP: 20 | VJ: 27.5 | BJ: 8110 | 10YD: 1.79 | 40YD: 4.84 | 3C: 7.21 | SS: 4.69
A long, active two-point stance rusher, Heims has only been a minor rotational contributor on defence during stops at Washington and Idaho. The six-foot-five, 241-pound end shows functional strength to set the edge and runs hot as a pass rusher, but is undisciplined and upright, lacking the bend to consistently threaten. However, the Hamburg product has a wealth of special teams experience and could be a unique mismatch in kick coverage at the CFL level because of his size and length. — Lorenz Leinweber
10) RB Brandon Belgrave, University of Colorado-Mesa (Panama)
HT: 5092 | WT: 205 | HND: 92 | ARM: 295 | WNG: 725
BP: 19 | VJ: 37 | BJ: 9110 | 10YD: 1.57 | 40YD: 4.50 | 3C: 7.24 | SS: 4.33
A change-of-pace back at the Division II level, Belgrave was a regular contributor over the past two seasons and posted promising per carry production despite never being the go-to guy. Despite his smaller stature, the five-foot-nine, 205-pounder demonstrates good contact balance to bounce off the first wave of tacklers and the vision to find open grass, with a very good second gear to pull away for long gains. Though the Panamanian was rarely asked to contribute in the passing game, his experience as a flag football player in his home country should translate into greater ability in that area than he was able to demonstrate. He offers questionable special teams value and will need to improve as a pass blocker, but his high-end athletic traits would be a value add at a position that CFL teams rarely have the roster flexibility to properly back up. — J.C. Abbott
Best of the rest: TE Andreas Paaske, Arkansas (Denmark) | DL Pius Odjugo, Ohio (Nigeria) | OL Laekin Vakalahi, IPP (New Zealand/Australia) | OL Jordan Spasojevic-Moko, California (Australia) | LB/DL Arthur Kingdom, Prague Lions (England) | FB/LB Carsen Patu, Brisbane Rhinos (Australia) | QB Bay Harvey, Johns Hopkins (Switzerland) | LB Nico Schwikal, Dartmouth (Germany) | DL James Nyamwaya, Merrimack (Kenya) | OL Matt Henry, Troy (New Zealand)
Full write-ups on players ranked 11 through 20 can be found on All22’s exclusive substack by clicking here. Check out the Scout Certification page to learn more about our Scouting department and opportunities.
