Calgary Stampeders sign Virginia Tech standout Norell Pollard

Photo: Virginia Tech

The Calgary Stampeders have signed American defensive lineman Norell Pollard.

The six-foot-one, 283-pound defender spent parts of the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the Washington Commanders, though he didn’t see any regular-season action. Over six preseason games, he made five tackles.

The 25-year-old played collegiately at Virginia Tech, where he recorded 118 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries over 61 games.

The native of Apopka, Fla. twice served as a team captain with the Hokies.

The Calgary Stampeders finished third in the West Division standings in 2025 with an 11-7 record but lost the West Semi-Final to the B.C. Lions. Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 4,247 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions over 17 regular-season starts, posting a 11-6 record as the team’s starting quarterback.

The Stampeders ranked fourth in net offence, seventh in net defence, and second with a turnover differential of plus-nine. Dedrick Mills won the CFL’s rushing title with 1,409 yards, while the team’s leading receiver was Dominique Rhymes with 886 yards, and leading tackler was Jacob Roberts with 102 tackles. Calgary finished fifth in attendance with average crowds of 22,295, which was a 3.5 percent increase from the previous year.