Hot starts abound in the CFL in 2026, with headline-grabbers like Montreal receiver Tyson Philpot, Edmonton running back Justin Rankin and, you know, almost every quarterback in the league popping on the stats sheet and game film.

Outside of guys named Philpot and Rankin and Trevor Harris and Nathan Rourke, etc… here are seven players that have caught my eye as they get off to All-CFL starts in 2026.

And you know what? Yeah. I’m gonna start with kickers and an offensive lineman, dammit.

RELATED » Quarterback Rankings: Who is the top pivot in the CFL? » AMSOIL Power Rankings: New No. 1 and a big climb for Calgary » Weekly Predictor: Who wins in Week 6? » Buy tickets for the 2026 CFL season » Subscribe to the CFL’s newsletter for exclusive offers and league updates

JUDE MCATAMNEY | KICKER | CALGARY STAMPEDERS

Kicker Jude McAtamney has converted 24 of his 25 kick attempts (including converts) in 2026 (Will Thompson/CFL.ca)

A first round pick (sixth overall) in this year’s CFL Global Draft, the 26-year-old from Derry, Northern Ireland was probably expecting to get most of his hoofing done in practice in 2026.

But with veteran René Paredes on the injured list to start the season, Jude McAtamney got the nod in Calgary and he has been class ever since.

His field goal numbers (five-for-six) are humble, but he is currently the man who’s kicked the longest field goal of the season, so far, at 57 yards.

It’s not McAtamney’s fault that the Stampeders keep scoring touchdowns instead of settling for field goal attempts. When you look at his convert numbers McAtamney is 20/20 and that is far, far ahead of anyone else in the CFL.

McAtamney has not missed from inside the 40 when you combine converts and field goals, going 24/24.

Oh, and he’s averaging 68.1 yards per kickoff, too, landing him fourth in the CFL but second among those with at least 20 kick offs (shout out to Montreal’s José Maltos Díaz, at 69.2).

JOHN HAGGERTY | PUNTER | TORONTO ARGONAUTS

Toronto Argonauts punter John Haggerty leads the CFL with a 53.2-yard punting average through the first........

© CFL