Next up on our list is the new elder statesmen of the Stampeders’ secondary, following the retirement of Brandon Smith last season.
Wall has missed just five games over the last six seasons, playing a full compliment of 18 games in four of those years.
The Texas Tech University product has done that while being the jack-of-all-trades in the secondary, playing halfback before transitioning to strong-side linebacker the last few seasons. He even started one game at safety.
Wall has been a versatile player since high school where he played running back, defensive back and punter. He has made a name for himself in the CFL with his cover skills and ability to read the field, always knowing where he needs to be to make the tackle.
The Texas native is entering his ninth year in the CFL — all in Calgary — after being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of 2010 NFL Draft. He also had stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, and the Georgia Force in the now-defunct Arena Football League.
Photo Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.com
Wall is consistently referred to as one of the most underrated players in the league. His quiet demeanor sets him apart from some of the more boisterous teammates he’s had in the secondary over his time in Calgary.
Within the room, the Stampeders know exactly what they have as the team voted Wall a defensive captain in 2019. He was re-signed after the season to another extension, keeping him in Calgary through 2020.
With 411 defensive tackles in his 128 career regular season games, Wall can be counted on to help develop younger players making their way onto the Canadian field for the first time. John Hufnagel praised Wall for his leadership, calling him “a stabilizing force for our defence.”
Wall has gone a few seasons without an interception since moving to SAM linebacker but has 18 picks in his career, three of which he took back for six. He also has five sacks and five forced fumbles.
The five-foot-ten, 195-pound defender has two Grey Cup rings to go with two all-star nods and will be looking for his third of each when play resumes in 2021.
3DownNation is unveiling its list of the top 100 active CFL players, a project that will run through December 31, 2020. To read the criteria for player eligibility, click here. The list to date can be found below.