The Calgary Stampeders have signed a pair of American offensive linemen in Chris Murray and Gerald Mincey.
Murray played 30 games over three seasons at the University of Oklahoma, making 25 starts at right guard. He was twice named an All-Big 12 honourable mention by the conference’s coaches during his time with the Sooners, earning second-team honours from the media in 2021. The California native transferred from UCLA, where he made 24 starts at centre or guard across two seasons and was named a freshman All-American in 2018.
The six-foot-two, 308-pound blocker went unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, but signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent. He was released in training camp and went unsigned until 2025, when he staged a comeback with the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League.
Mincey concluded his collegiate career at the University of Kentucky, where he suited up in seven games as a senior before sitting out the remainder of the season with injury. The native of Pompano Beach, Fla., went viral during his absence when he was caught on video leaving the sideline during a game to visit the stadium concession stand. That post on X has since been viewed over 2.3 million times.
The six-foot-six, 325-pound tackle transferred from the University of Tennessee, where he appeared in 22 games and made 14 starts over two seasons. He started his career at the University of Florida, where he dressed for 11 games in a backup role over two seasons.
The Calgary Stampeders weren’t very active in CFL free agency, though they signed former Toronto Argonauts receiver Dejon Brissett, who set a career-high with 907 receiving yards in 2025. The Stampeders didn’t lose any free agents to other CFL teams but had three players sign in the NFL: receiver Damien Alford (New Orleans Saints), defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings (Minnesota Vikings), and linebacker Jacob Roberts (Minnesota Vikings).
The Stampeders hold the sixth overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on May 10. Calgary will play its first preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Monday, May 18, and its first regular-season game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday, June 5.
In 2025, Calgary finished third in the West Division standings with an 11-7 record but lost the West Semi-Final to the B.C. Lions.
