The winners of the CFL awards were named Thursday night at a banquet after voting was conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and nine league coaches.

Tackle Chris Van Zeyl of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats was named the CFL’s top lineman Thursday night.

Van Zeyl, a 36-year-old native of Fonthill, Ont., anchored an offensive line that helped Hamilton lead the CFL in passing yards (5,626), touchdowns (48) and net offence (395.1 yards per game).

Hamilton takes on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Grey Cup on Sunday.

Meanwhile, defensive end Willie Jefferson of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers was named the CFL’s top defensive player at the awards.

Jefferson, 28, had a career-high 12 sacks in his first season with Winnipeg. He also had a league-record 16 pass knockdowns to go with 24 tackles, an interception, six forced fumbles and two recoveries.

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