The New York Jets welcomed three CFL players to practice Friday, including league players. Most Outstanding Special Teams Player And Most Outstanding Newcomer. KPRC 2 Houston's Aaron Wilson was the first to report the training.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers returnee Trey Vaval took home both awards after leading the league in punt return yards (957), missed field goal yards (391) and kick return touchdowns (four). The 25-year-old Blue Springs, Missouri native also ranked third in all-purpose yards (2,266) and fifth in kickoff yards (918).
The five-foot-eleven, 163-pound speedster set a CFL single-game record with a 199-yard field goal return in a 26-18 win over the Ottawa Redblacks in September. He also started four games at cornerback, recording 21 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles and one interception.
Vaval was joined at practice by Hamilton Tiger-Cats returnee Isaiah Wooden and Calgary Stampeders wide receiver Damien Alford.
Wooden appeared in 14 games for the Ticats, leading the CFL in punt return average (15.0) and ranking second in kickoff return average (26.3). He totaled 1,782 yards and led the league with four touchdowns despite suffering a midseason hand injury.
The 25-year-old Southern Utah product first signed with the BC Lions in 2024 and spent time on the team's practice squad before being released and signed by Hamilton. He reportedly ran the forty-yard dash in 4.38 seconds at his pro day last year.
Alford was selected by the Stampeders with the first overall pick in the 2025 CFL Draft, playing in 15 games for the team as a rookie. The Montreal, Quebec native caught 20 passes for 407 yards and five touchdowns despite primarily serving as a backup.
The six-foot-six, 224-pound threat was barely used at the University of Utah as a senior but recorded 67 receptions for 1,291 yards with seven touchdowns over his previous four seasons with Syracuse. Last year at the Big 12 Pro Day, he ran the forty-yard dash in 4.46 seconds.
NFL Practice Window opened on Monday, November 17th. and closes on February 10, 2026 at 12:01 pm ET. The window to sign with an NFL team opens January 5, 2026 and ends February 10, 2026 at 12:01 pm ET.
NFL teams must request permission from CFL franchises to train players, but the request cannot be denied. CFL players can opt out of their agreements north of the border if an NFL team offers a contract, although the CFL team retains its exclusive rights to the remainder of the pre-existing contract.
