TORONTO — Part of Tyler Kahmann’s off-season preparation was learning the Toronto Argonauts’ playbook.

Now, that’s hardly a revelation considering the American receiver was looking to make the CFL team’s roster. But by the time Kahmann reported to training camp, he was familiar with the concepts surrounding all of the receiving positions on Toronto’s offence.

That preparation and attention to detail helped Kahmann be named the CFL’s top rookie Friday.

“He knew every (receiving) position on the field to know that he would be able to have an opportunity to get on the field earlier if he understood all of the positions,” Kelly said Friday of Kahmann. “He has excelled in every way.

“Blocking, catching the ball, being a clear out, anything like that. A selfless guy (who) works extremely hard, and I’m just super happy for him because he’s such a great guy.”

Kahmann, 26, of Haysville, Kans., registered 77 catches for 1,092 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season. He was one of four Toronto receivers to crack the 1,000-yard plateau — Damonte Coxie and Canadians David Ungerer III and Kevin Mital were the others — a franchise first.

Toronto (9-9) finished second in the East standings and will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday in the division semifinal.

“It’s a testament to my teammates, there’s a lot that goes into it,” Kahmann said. “I said in the team meeting (Thursday) that I just catch the ball, I do the easy stuff.

“He (Kelly) does the hard stuff, the offensive line does the hard stuff, I could never do their job. The CFL has been around for so long and to be a part of that history is great and I’m super honoured and blessed.”

On Thursday, Kahmann clarified that it wasn’t like he reported to Toronto’s camp knowing all there was to know about every receiver position.

“I don’t know necessarily if I knew all the details of every position, but I think I know concepts well,” he said. “Training camp was really a time to get all of the details because it (Canadian football) is different, it’s different than playing down in the U.S.

“There’s different philosophies, different looks, different defences, so I think that part I knew as far as the concepts. But it took a lot during training camp also.”

Kahmann played collegiately at Emporia State (2019-2024), twice being named a first-team All Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association selection (2023-24). Over 47 games, he had 282 catches for 3,686 yards and 54 TDs.

He signed as an undrafted free agent with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts in 2025. He went on the practice roster after being released, only to be let go the following day.

Kahmann joined the Argos in September 2025 but was released the following month. Kahmann re-signed with Toronto last January, then returned to the practice roster May 31.

Kahmann landed on the active roster for Toronto’s season-opening 37-30 loss to the Montreal Alouettes. He recorded six catches for 106 yards and a TD and has remained a starter.

Kahmann became the sixth Argo to receive the top rookie award but the first since cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers — now with the NFL’s New York Jets — in 2023.

Kahmann earned 30 first-place, 11 second-place and three third-place votes out of 52 ballots from the Football Reporters of Canada.

The six-foot-three, 206-pound receiver totalled 186 points out of a maximum of 260, finishing ahead of B.C. Lions linebacker Parker McKenna (106) and Winnipeg defensive back Major Williams (63).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 30, 2026.