Biggest Training Camp Release Surprises For Every CFL Team

Pro football is a ruthless business. This fact was on full display on May 30th as all nine CFL teams released their cuts and sent a lot of players packing up and heading back home. Every year, there are some members of teams that are either veterans or performed great in camp that end up released come the end of training camp. Every team had some standout releases, but who were the most surprising? Let's find out.

Photo Credit: OpenDorce.com

BC LIONS: DRE DOIRON

After he performed well at the CFL combine, I thought Dre Doiron would stay on with the BC Lions, especially after Dejon Allen became injured in camp. That was not the case and Doiron found himself heading home after camp. The 6'4, 305 offensive lineman also had serious credit from the states, playing at Kansas University before being called up to Regina for the combine.

Photo Credit: Calgary Stampeders

CALGARY STAMPEDERS: CAM ECHOLS

Cam Echols was on the Calgary Stampeders' show Gone Camping merely days before he was released by the team. Echols shared receiver and returner duties, catching 31 passes for 363 yards and four touchdowns during 2024, as well as returning 12 kickoffs and 12 punts for a total of 290 yards. 

Photo Credit: Steven Chang

EDMONTON ELKS: ALEX HOLLINS

After being named a CFL All-Star in 2023, Hollins had a quieter, but still impactful, 2024. He hauled in 61 balls as for 937 yards and six touchdowns, but was released by the Lions before being scooped up by the Elks. After some injury troubles in camp, the veteran receiver found himself without a job at the end of camp.

Photo Credit: Matt Smith

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS: BOTH HERDMAN-REEDS

The Herdman-Reed brothers were important pieces of Saskatchewan's special teams but were both released after training camp, potentially favoring younger options to play in their spots. Many Saskatchewan fans were expecting Mario Alford to be without a job in 2025, but following an injury to standout rookie Drae McCray, Alford finds himself on the roster, at least to start the regular season.

Photo Credit: Bob Butrym

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS: DEXTER LAWSON JR.

Dexter Lawson came to Winnipeg after playing 13 games with Hamilton over 2023 and 2024, recording 45 tackles, two special teams tackles and one interception. The two-year veteran couldn't end up finding a spot on the roster and was released on May 30th.

Photo Credit: Bob Butrym

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS: LUTHER HAKUNAVANHU

Hakunavanhu spent three years with Calgary, recording 842 yards off 59 receptions and eight touchdowns over three seasons with the club before leaving for Hamilton in free agency in 2024, playing in eight games before training camp this offseason. He did not end up on the main roster.

Photo Credit: Kevin Sousa

TORONTO ARGONAUTS: KA'DEEM CAREY

This one is a no-brainer. Carey helped the Argonauts win the 111th Grey Cup after leaving Calgary in the offseason, voicing his displeasure with the Stampeders organization after the win. He lost his job to the 23 year old Miyan Williams out of Ohio State. Age may have played a role in the decision, as Williams is nine years younger than the 32-year-old Carey.

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OTTAWA REDBLACKS: JAYLEN SAMUELS

Samuels couldn't find a way onto the roster dealing with solid competition from both William Stanback and Daniel Adeboboye in training camp. He played for three teams in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Houston Texans and the Arizona Cardinals. However, this resume didn't help Samuels crack the roster.

Photo Credit: Kevin Sousa

MONTREAL ALOUETTES: WALTER FLETCHER

I don't think ANYONE saw this coming. Fletcher is a dynamic rushing/receiving tailback that rushed for 764 yards but also caught 71 passes for 682 yards and three touchdowns in 2024. According to 3DownNation's Pablo Herrera Vergara, blocking in the pocket was a top priority for the Alouettes moving into 2025. Fletcher did not block as well as the other 3 backs, and as such found himself on the chopping block.

By Bruce Chimirri-Olson