DA #23

Dee Alford

Cornerback · Tusculum

Dee Alford took the long way to NFL success, winning a Grey Cup in the CFL before establishing himself as a career-high tackler for Atlanta in 2025.

Dee Alford's road to the NFL ran through the Canadian Football League, where he won a championship before ever signing an NFL contract. After four seasons developing into a full-time starter with the Falcons, the Tusculum product landed a lucrative new deal in 2026 built on a career-best 2025 campaign.

★ 2021 CFL Grey Cup champion with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers

★ Career-high 83 tackles and 13 pass deflections in 2025

★ Signed three-year, $21 million contract with the Bills, March 2026

Path to the league

Alford starred at Division II Tusculum from 2016 to 2019, recording 140 tackles and 10 interceptions while setting a school record with 40 passes defended across 40 games. He went undrafted in 2020 and signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL, where he won the 2021 Grey Cup championship as a starting cornerback.

Career highlights

Alford signed with the Atlanta Falcons in January 2022 and spent four seasons with the team, growing from a depth piece into a regular contributor with 64 career games and 23 starts. His steady development culminated in a breakout 2025 season.

2025 season recap

Alford set career highs across the board in 2025, recording 83 total tackles, 3 interceptions, 13 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles for Atlanta. That production led directly to a three-year contract worth up to $21 million, signed with the Buffalo Bills in March 2026.