Giordano Vaccaro had a message for Ottawa Redblacks head coach Ryan Dinwiddie: “I can promise, you got a mauler.”
The offensive lineman from Winnipeg, who is six feet two inches tall and weighs 307 pounds, was selected as the first overall pick in the 2026 CFL draft Tuesday evening, becoming the first Manitoban to do so since Brandon’s Chris Bauman in 2007.
Nearly 300 people at a “draft party” at Winnipeg’s Caboto Centre listened as Vaccaro told his new coach over a video call he’s bringing some new fans with him.
“You got 250 Redblacks here,” he said. “Thank you for the opportunity. I’m ready to get started.”
Vaccaro spent his 2025 with the Purdue Boilermakers, making an appearance in all 12 games and seeing action on offence and special teams. He played 22 snaps in the Boilermakers’ season finale, a 56-3 loss to eventual NCAA champion Indiana on Nov. 28.
Before that, he spent three years with the University of Manitoba Bisons and was named an all-Canadian twice.
Vaccaro said Tuesday being drafted to the CFL felt “very surreal.” He began playing football late in high school and only started to think he could make a career out of it in his first year of university.
“If I look at my 18-year-old self going into the Bisons … I wouldn’t believe I was here right now,” Vaccaro told reporters at the draft party. “A lot of thanks goes out to everyone who’s been part of my journey.”
Vaccaro said many of those people were at the Caboto Centre with him, from family and friends to former teammates and coaches.
Several were wearing Purdue gear, with jerseys, photos and other memorabilia from the Winnipegger’s football career displayed around the room.
“It’s an unbelievable, proud father moment,” his dad, Angelo Vaccaro, said while wearing a Redblacks cap.
“He’s going to work hard. He’s always worked hard. You’re going to have a mauler there, going to have someone who’s going to work and make that team better.”
Former Bisons coach Brian Dobie said Giordano Vaccaro is not only an outstanding and aggressive player who’s good tactically. He will also bring “an attitude” to the Redblacks that will help establish a team culture as they look to rebuild.
“I think the single best thing about Gio … is who he is,” Dobie said. “He’s had all kinds of people that have contributed to his development, but he is humble about it. And he’s continued to thrive on that and appreciate it.
“He just is a winner. There’s really nothing missing.”
For now, Vaccaro is set to head back to Purdue, having only gotten the chance to return to his home in Winnipeg for the draft after his professor postponed one of his exams.
Vaccaro said he’ll be ready to turn on his “mauler” game for the Redblacks any time.
“I take pride in being nasty in my game. I flip that switch on the field, for sure,” he said.
Winnipeg family, friends celebrate CFL’s top draft pick
