Giordano Vaccaro delivered a confident message to Ryan Dinwiddie, the head coach and general manager of the Ottawa Redblacks, stating, “I can assure you, you’ve acquired a forceful player.” The six-foot-two, 307-pound offensive lineman from Winnipeg made history by being chosen as the top pick in the 2026 CFL draft, becoming the first Manitoban to do so since Chris Bauman from Brandon in 2007.
At a lively “draft party” held at Winnipeg’s Caboto Centre, nearly 300 attendees heard Vaccaro express his excitement to join the Redblacks, mentioning that 250 Redblacks supporters were present at the event. Vaccaro, who played for the Purdue Boilermakers in 2025, shared his readiness to start with his new team during a video call with Dinwiddie.
Having previously played for the University of Manitoba Bisons and being a two-time all-Canadian, Vaccaro reflected on his journey, describing the feeling of being drafted to the CFL as “surreal.” Surrounded by family, friends, former teammates, and coaches at the draft party, Vaccaro expressed gratitude towards those who have supported him throughout his football career.
Acknowledging his son’s hard work and dedication, Angelo Vaccaro, donning a Redblacks cap, shared his pride and confidence in Giordano’s future with the team. Former Bisons coach Brian Dobie commended Vaccaro’s skills and praised his positive attitude, predicting that he would bring a winning mentality to the Redblacks.
Despite heading back to Purdue after the draft, Vaccaro assured that he would be ready to showcase his aggressive playing style for the Redblacks whenever needed. Displaying a strong work ethic and a competitive spirit, Vaccaro emphasized his commitment to making a significant impact on the team.