Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Bulldogs well represented as 2026 CFL season kicks off
6/5/2026 11:05:00 AM | Football
FRESNO, Calif. - The Canadian Football League (CFL) opens its 2026 season this week. The season kicks off with four former Bulldogs on active rosters in the professional league and an additional three on practice squads.
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Linebacker Kyrie Wilson suits up for his ninth season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He is coming off of one of his best seasons in his professional career, having suited up for all 18 regular season games and the Eastern Semifinal while registering 49 defensive tackles, added two more on special teams, along with three sacks and two forced fumbles.
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Heading into 2026, Wilson has appeared in 73 games over his eight seasons with the Blue Bombers and has accumulated 206 tackles, nine sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles. He is a two-time Grey Cup champion, with his championship-sealing interception in overtime in the 2021 Grey Cup being one of the most memorable moments in franchise history. Wilson was a Bulldog linebacker from 2011-15.
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Wide receiver KeeSean Johnson, Fresno State's all-time leader in career pass receptions (275) and receiving yards (3,463), enters his third season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Roughriders were the 2025 Grey Cup Champions behind a breakout season from Johnson, who earned All-CFL honors a season ago. Johnson had his first professional season with over 1,000 yards receiving, totaling 1,159 last season. Entering 2026, he was named to the CFL Preseason Top 50 list.
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Former Bulldog linebacker Travis Brown is also in Saskatchewan for his third season as the linebackers coach. This year, he added the title of run game coordinator.
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Former Fresno State wideouts Erik Brooks (Calgary Stampeders) and Keric Wheatfall (Hamilton Tiger Cats) will also take the field in the CFL this season. Brooks enters his third season in Calgary. He played in all 18 games last season and made 14 starts. He totaled 824 yards receiving, 665 kickoff return yards and 335 punt return yards. Wheatfall is in his third season in the CFL, but first with the Hamilton Tiger Cats. He signed with the club in February after spending the last two seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In his career, he has totaled 928 yards receiving over two seasons.
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Fresno State is also represented on practice squads across the league as JuJu Hughes (Saskatchewan Roughriders), David Perales (Montreal Alouettes) and Jaelen Gill (Hamilton Tiger Cats) have signed with teams. Additional players with Fresno State ties include Ben Wooldridge (Calgary Stampeders), Da'Marcus Johnson (Toronto Argonauts), and Kemari Munier-Bailey (Ottawa Redblacks).
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The CFL season officially kicked off on Thursday, June 4. More information can be found at CFL.ca.
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Linebacker Kyrie Wilson suits up for his ninth season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He is coming off of one of his best seasons in his professional career, having suited up for all 18 regular season games and the Eastern Semifinal while registering 49 defensive tackles, added two more on special teams, along with three sacks and two forced fumbles.
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Heading into 2026, Wilson has appeared in 73 games over his eight seasons with the Blue Bombers and has accumulated 206 tackles, nine sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles. He is a two-time Grey Cup champion, with his championship-sealing interception in overtime in the 2021 Grey Cup being one of the most memorable moments in franchise history. Wilson was a Bulldog linebacker from 2011-15.
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Wide receiver KeeSean Johnson, Fresno State's all-time leader in career pass receptions (275) and receiving yards (3,463), enters his third season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Roughriders were the 2025 Grey Cup Champions behind a breakout season from Johnson, who earned All-CFL honors a season ago. Johnson had his first professional season with over 1,000 yards receiving, totaling 1,159 last season. Entering 2026, he was named to the CFL Preseason Top 50 list.
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Former Bulldog linebacker Travis Brown is also in Saskatchewan for his third season as the linebackers coach. This year, he added the title of run game coordinator.
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Former Fresno State wideouts Erik Brooks (Calgary Stampeders) and Keric Wheatfall (Hamilton Tiger Cats) will also take the field in the CFL this season. Brooks enters his third season in Calgary. He played in all 18 games last season and made 14 starts. He totaled 824 yards receiving, 665 kickoff return yards and 335 punt return yards. Wheatfall is in his third season in the CFL, but first with the Hamilton Tiger Cats. He signed with the club in February after spending the last two seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In his career, he has totaled 928 yards receiving over two seasons.
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Fresno State is also represented on practice squads across the league as JuJu Hughes (Saskatchewan Roughriders), David Perales (Montreal Alouettes) and Jaelen Gill (Hamilton Tiger Cats) have signed with teams. Additional players with Fresno State ties include Ben Wooldridge (Calgary Stampeders), Da'Marcus Johnson (Toronto Argonauts), and Kemari Munier-Bailey (Ottawa Redblacks).
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The CFL season officially kicked off on Thursday, June 4. More information can be found at CFL.ca.
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