Injury setbacks behind him? Calgary Stampeders await huge impact from Ben Labrosse

The Calgary Stampeders have dominated the CFL Draft over the past two seasons, consistently adding Canadian talent few rivals can match. Last year’s first overall pick, Damien Alford, already departed for the NFL after a standout rookie campaign.

First-rounders Christy Nkanu and Christopher Fortin have become key offensive line starters, while depth picks like Ludovick Choquette and Quincy Vaughn have made meaningful contributions.

Amid that success, Calgary took a bold gamble on Greenfield Park, Que., native Ben Labrosse despite just 18 collegiate games between Syracuse and McGill and a full season missed in 2023 due to academic issues. Labrosse’s rookie year showed promise: he started nine of 14 games and recorded 34 defensive tackles, though inconsistency contributed to the Stampeders’ last-place finish.

Labrosse was named the starting field cornerback for the 2025 season but was quickly replaced by free agent addition Adrian Greene. Plagued by lingering injuries, he dressed for only eight games, posting five defensive tackles and two on special teams.

Head coach and GM Dave Dickenson explained, “Ben has been dealing with a foot issue since we drafted him. He was playing without a ligament, needed surgery, and just wasn’t himself when he returned. By the end of last year, though, he was starting to impact our punts and kicks, and we could see it in practice.”

While the Stampeders rotated three Canadian cornerbacks last season—Greene (12 starts), veteran Godfrey Onyeka (seven games), and undrafted Dolani Robinson (three starts)—Labrosse is the one top pick yet to fully live up to expectations. Now entering the final season of his rookie contract, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

“It’s a big year for Ben. He knows that,” Dickenson said. Labrosse, an athletic marvel at the 2024 CFL Combine, impressed with an 11-foot, 2-inch broad jump, 4.51-second 40-yard dash, 38.5-inch vertical, 6.76-second three-cone, 4.31-second short shuttle, and 12 bench press reps. If he can stay healthy and find consistency, the Stampeders hope he can finally live up to that first-round pedigree.