The team nominees for the CFL Awards were released Wednesday afternoon.

To the surprise of almost no one, the Saskatchewan Roughriders named Cody Fajardo as the team’s most outstanding player. 

After taking over the reins from starter Zach Collaros in the first game of the season, Fajardo has gone on to lead the Riders to a record of 12-5 on the season and has the team in first place in the CFL West Division. 

In his first year as a starting quarterback, Fajardo has thrown for over 4300 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has also ran for 611 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The defensive player of the year for the Riders is Charleston Hughes.

He leads the league with 15 sacks and added another 48 tackles, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Now with 129 career sacks, this is the fourth time in his career, Hughes has received the team award, although the previous three times were with the Calgary Stampeders.

Making his return to the CFL after 12 years, Jon Ryan was named the team’s special teams player of the year. 

Playing in all 17 games so far, the former NFL punter is averaging 49 yards per kick. Perhaps the only knock about his performance this year is the strength in his leg has him outkicking coverage more often than not.

Making a return to the field after a car accident forced him to miss most of training camp and the preseason, Dan Clark has been named the lineman of the year. 

He has been at the centre of an offensive line which has allowed just 35 sacks this year. It has also helped the Riders average 115 yards per game rushing, and to score 25 rushing touchdowns, the most in the league.

The Canadian of the year nominee for the Riders comes from the defensive side of the ball.

Linebacker Cameron Judge has 59 tackles, 12 special teams tackles, five sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.

This year’s rookie of the year for the Riders is offensive lineman Dakota Shepley.

He has played in all 17 games so far, starting 14 at right guard. He has been a stalwart on an offensive line that has performed strongly all season long.

The awards are selected by voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada and CFL head coaches.

The East and West Division nominees for the CFL Awards will be named on November 7th.