The Minnesota Vikings recently conducted a workout with Reggie Stubblefield, a standout rookie linebacker from the Canadian Football League (CFL) who was nominated for the CFL Rookie of the Year award while playing for the Montreal Alouettes. Stubblefield is known for his high level of intensity and focus on the field, striking a balance that avoids crossing any boundaries.
Stubblefield faced an initial release from the Alouettes after the preseason on June 3. However, he was assured that he would be the first player considered for a comeback if an opportunity arose. Eventually, he was re-signed to Montreal’s practice roster on June 26 and made his regular season debut in Week 4 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Despite moving between the practice roster and the active roster, once Stubblefield secured a starting position, he remained a starter for the rest of the season, excelling at both the defensive halfback and strongside linebacker positions.
SSK LB @champdean_ was a run stopping machine this year, making 88 total tackles in the run game. That was 2nd-most (behind Micah Awe), but more impressive than that was the fact that Dean missed just two tackles total in the run game. The best tackle rate and it wasn’t close
— Bryson Vesnaver (@PFF_Bryson) December 1, 2023
Throughout his 12 regular-season starts, Stubblefield showcased his skills with 38 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, a forced fumble, and an impressive 9 passes defended. His remarkable performance earned him recognition from Pro Football Focus (PFF), which named him to their CFL All-Star team at halfback and awarded him the prestigious title of CFL Rookie of the Year. PFF highlighted Stubblefield’s exceptional coverage statistics, allowing only 14 catches and 0 touchdowns with a league-leading forced incompletion rate of 27.8%. His quarterback rating when targeted was an impressive 29.7, and he concluded the season with an 89.1 coverage grade, ranking fifth in the league.
I wanted to share some clips of plays that I enjoyed for various reasons that do not always make the highlight real or are aspects of play that are not always noticed. I will post them under this thread.
Here is a great run stop from Lwal Uguak. pic.twitter.com/JV5txLo4nL— Jonathan Clink (@JonathanClink) November 11, 2023
Stubblefield continued his impact in the playoffs, leading the Alouettes in tackles with 23 and contributing significantly in various defensive categories. Notably, he played a crucial role in the team’s Grey Cup victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, securing a championship title for Montreal.
Having attended both the Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs rookie minicamps in 2022, Stubblefield brings versatility and an unknown potential level to the NFL. With previous success at SAM linebacker and recognition as a PFF CFL All-Star in the defensive back halfback position, Stubblefield’s adaptability is a potential asset for the Vikings in 2024. He has also played cornerback at the collegiate level during his final year at Kansas State, where he tallied 34 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 1 sack over 12 games with 6 starts.
When I went through the film I saved a lot of clips. Since I had a lot of clips saved and organized I threw together some short compilations of some of the impactful players made. I will post them under this thread for Alouettes players. I will do the same for the Bombers later.
— Jonathan Clink (@JonathanClink) November 24, 2023
As the Vikings evaluate their linebacker and defensive back depth charts, they have Jordan Hicks and Ivan Pace Jr. as key players. Hicks, the fourth-highest-graded player in overall defense by PFF, is expected to return for the upcoming game against Detroit. Stubblefield’s addition to the roster could offer the Vikings a dynamic and versatile option, enhancing their defensive capabilities and contributing to their success in the 2024 season.
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