Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Cody Fajardo. (File photo courtesy of the Saskatchewan Roughriders)

By Britton Gray

Fajardo, Judge, Dickenson named finalists for CFL awards

Nov 7, 2019 | 2:19 PM

Three members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders could win CFL awards this year.

Quarterback Cody Fajardo has been named the West Division’s nominee for the CFL award as most outstanding player, linebacker Cam Judge has been deemed the West’s most outstanding Canadian, and Craig Dickenson is up for coach of the year.

Fajardo’s nomination comes after a season that saw him take full advantage of the opportunity put in front of him.

He was to be the Roughriders’ backup QB, but starter Zach Collaros suffered a concussion on the third offensive play of the season against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 13.

The 27-year-old Fajardo went on to start all but one game for the Green and White after that, completing 338 of 473 pass attempts (71.5 per cent) for a league-leading 4,302 yards and 18 touchdowns. The first-year starter also did a lot of damage on the ground, running for 611 yards and 10 scores.

Panhandler a success

Panhandler Charity Golf Classic raises $90K for NRHF End-of-Life Campaign

Aug 27, 2025

LOCAL TALENT

'I got the best crew': Jay Peeaychew leads Black Bear Indian Relay to 2026 Calgary Stampede spot with Medicine Hat win

Aug 27, 2025

Summer Games Medal Recap

Team Sask takes home 48 medals in Summer Games

Aug 26, 2025

Fajardo’s emergence led the Roughriders to a 13-5 record and first place in the West Division. It was Fajardo’s first year with the Roughriders and his play earned him a multi-year contract extension.

Fajardo will face Hamilton Tiger-Cats receiver Brandon Banks in the final round of voting.

Judge lived up to the expectations that came with being selected second overall in the 2017 CFL draft.

The 24-year-old enjoyed his best season as a pro in 2019, recording 61 tackles, five sacks, a forced fumble and two interceptions.

He returned his second interception of the season for a touchdown against the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday, a major that clinched the 23-13 win and gave the Roughriders the right to host the CFL’s West final.

Judge’s competition for the CFL award is Montreal Alouettes linebacker Henoc Muamba, a former Roughrider.

Dickenson was the Roughriders’ special-teams co-ordinator before taking over as head coach after Chris Jones departed for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns in January.

In his first season as a head coach, Dickenson guided Saskatchewan to first place in the West Division for the first time since 2009.

Dickenson and Hamilton head coach Orlondo Steinauer are the finalists.

The Roughriders’ other nominees were defensive end Charleston Hughes (most outstanding defensive player), centre Dan Clark (most outstanding offensive lineman), guard Dakoda Shepley (most outstanding rookie) and punter Jon Ryan (most outstanding special-teams player).

Voting for the player awards was conducted by members of the Football Reporters of Canada and CFL head coaches.

The 2019 CFL player awards are to be awarded Nov. 21 in Calgary at Scotiabank Saddledome.

More to come.