Winnipegger Giordano Vaccaro projected as 1st pick in Tuesday's CFL draft

What began as a dream years ago is very close to becoming a reality for Giordano Vaccaro.

Pro football wasn't something Vaccaro pondered until he enrolled at the University of Manitoba in 2022 and started as a freshman. Now the six-foot-two, 307-pound Purdue offensive lineman is projected to go first overall in Tuesday night's CFL draft.

"It was my first year in college when coach Dobie [Bisons head coach Brian Dobie] was like, 'Hey, you could make a career out of this,'" Vaccaro said.

"That's something I'd never really thought about, because I started playing football late [at Winnipeg's St. Paul's High School]. Once I figured I could do this, that's when that switch kind of turned on.

"Obviously, as it gets closer, it's pretty surreal that I could be calling football my job."

Vaccaro was ranked No. 11 last week on the CFL Scouting Bureau's final list of the top 20 prospects for Tuesday's draft. But of the top 11 players, only Vaccaro and Rutgers defensive back Jett Elad (No. 9) are immediately available to join a Canadian team, as the others were either drafted by NFL teams, signed as undrafted free agents or invited to rookie mini-camps.

Vaccaro, twice an all-Canadian in three seasons at Manitoba and U Sports' top down lineman in 2024 before transferring to Purdue, has the ability to challenge for a CFL starting spot.

The Ottawa Redblacks, who finished last in the east division (4-14) and missed the CFL playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons, currently have the No. 1 pick.

"I really don't care [if selected first overall], and it's honestly true when I say that," said Vaccaro, who's from Winnipeg. "I'd love to go to Ottawa or anywhere. I just want the chance."

Vaccaro appeared in all 12 of Purdue's games last