The Toronto Argonauts released running back Brandon Calver and offensive lineman Gregor MacKellar on Monday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Brandon Calver is six foot three and weighs 220 pounds. The 31-year-old from London, Ontario, made three tackles in eight games for the Toronto Argonauts in 2024 helping them win the 111th Grey Cup over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Montreal Alouettes signed Calver on January 22, 2018. He played two seasons in Montreal making 13 tackles on special teams and one forced fumble in 12 games. In addition, he also played one game for the Ottawa Redblacks and five games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Toronto Argonauts signed Calver as a free agent on August 10, 2021. In 2021, he had one kick return for 13 yards in one game. In 2022, he made six tackles on special teams in six games helping them win the 109th Grey Cup over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In 2023, he made nine tackles on special teams in 16 games.
Collegiately, Calver played five seasons at Wilfrid Laurier (2013-17) making 218 tackles (163 solos, 112 assists), 17.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, two interceptions for 22 yards, five pass breakups, four forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and one blocked punt in 46 games for the Golden Hawks.
He helped the Golden Hawks win the Yates Cup in 2016, was named Second Team All-Star, and was a two-time Glenn Caroll Team of the Year.
Gregor MacKellar is six foot four and weighs 311 pounds. The 26-year-old from Timberlea, Nova Scotia, started nine games for the Toronto Argonauts in 2024. He missed most of the season with a toe injury.
In 2024, Toronto’s offense averaged 28.6 points per game (1st), 368.7 net offense (3rd), 121.3 rushing yards (2nd), 265.2 passing yards (6th), 49 touchdowns (3rd), and allowed 40 sacks (8th).
The Toronto Argonauts drafted MacKellar in the first round (6th pick) of the 2022 CFL Draft. In 2022, he played three games and in 2023 started 18 games. In 2023, Toronto’s offense ranked second in offensive average points (29.3), second in offensive touchdowns (56), second in average net offense (377.8), fourth in average rushing yards (113.7), fourth in average passing yards (272.2), and first the least number of sacks allowed (19).
Collegiately, MacKellar played four seasons at St. Francis Xavier (2018-21) playing 21 games for the X-Men. In 2021, St. Francis Xavier averaged 32.2 points per game, 407.8 total yards per game, 237.2 passing yards per game, 170.7 rushing yards per game, and 16 touchdowns finishing 6-0 for the season.
Royce Metchie is five foot eleven and weighs 197 pounds. The 28-year-old from Lagos, Nigeria, made 87 tackles, one interception, and two forced fumbles in 18 games for the Toronto Argonauts in 2024. In the 111th Grey Cup, Metchie made three tackles helping the Argonauts beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 41-24.
The Calgary Stampeders drafted Metchie in the third round (25th pick) of the 2018 CFL Draft. Metchie played three seasons in Calgary making 79 tackles, 12 tackles on special teams, four interceptions, and one forced fumble in 31 games. Toronto acquired Metchie on February 4, 2022, from the Calgary Stampeders for linebacker Cameron Judge.
In 2023, he made 72 tackles, one interception, one touchdown, and two forced fumbles in 18 games. In three seasons in Toronto, Metchie has made 231 tackles, one tackle on special teams, four interceptions, one touchdown, and four forced fumbles in 53 games.
Collegiately, Metchie played four seasons at the University of Guelph (2014-17) making 108 tackles (82 solos, 52 assists), six tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups in 28 games for the Gryphons.
