Bombers Add 3 to Roster

ModAdmin · February 22, 2024, 10:11:58 PM

Blue Bombers add three to roster - February 24, 2024

WINNIPEG, MB., February 22, 2024 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed three American players – offensive tackle Kendall Randolph, defensive tackle Kenny Randall and linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel.

Randolph (6-4, 300; Alabama; born: November 14, 1998, in Madison, AL) joins the Blue Bombers after signing as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks last May and suiting up for three preseason games before his release.

Randolph played four years at Alabama (2019-22) and played in 53 games at guard, tackle and tight end for the Crimson Tide. He started six games as a tight end in 2020 while serving as the backup left tackle and played in 13 games as Alabama won the CFP National Championship.

Randall (6-4, 300; Charleston; born: December 7, 1995, in Atlantic City, NJ) returns to the Blue Bombers after attending training camp with the club in 2022 and spending last year with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL where he played in 10 games and registered 2.5 quarterback sacks and 16 tackles.

Randall enjoyed a solid college career with the Golden Eagles and was named First Team All-MEC Honors in 2019 and finished his collegiate career with 64 tackles, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles before signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021 and attending the team's training camp.

Gemmel (6-2, 225; North Carolina; born: November 5, 1998, in Newnan, GA) comes to Winnipeg after playing in seven games last season with the Orlando Guardians of the XFL. He played in 42 games, starting 38, for the Tar Heels from 2017-21) before earning NFL looks from the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos in 2022. He was voted team captain with UNC in his junior season and as a senior was named Third Team All-ACC after registering 75 tackles, seven hurries, 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble.

Blueforlife · February 23, 2024, 12:06:18 AM

Nice to see. Some promise there for Randolf but he will be a project.

DM83 · February 23, 2024, 03:16:11 AM

Training. Camp fodder

theaardvark · February 23, 2024, 03:04:20 PM

Quote from: DM83 on February 23, 2024, 03:16:11 AMTraining. Camp fodder

Diamond in the rough polisher.

LXTSN · February 23, 2024, 03:43:27 PM

This is the competition that everyone is looking for right? Versatile OT and a DT?

Randolph is the most intriguing to me. Very versatile and would fit right in as a 6th OL type of guy. If he comes out as the starter at RT and then on big packages we use him as a TE/6th OL? We are up to 4 great candidates for that open RT spot!

Gemmel is exactly the type of LB that fits in with our group. 2-time team captain on a goodish North Carolina team. Averaged betwee 70-90 tackles when he played the full 13 game season. Average size and speed, but seems to have a good head on his shoulders.

kkc60 · February 23, 2024, 04:06:19 PM

All interesting names for sure. Randolph will be intriguing to see. Not too much experience, especially at tackle but ya never know. I liked Randall last time he was here, glad he's back. Gemmel, not too sure where he fits in considering we have Bighill, Cole and Wilson but a couple of those guys might be gone after this season.

Throw Long Bannatyne · February 23, 2024, 06:56:56 PM

Quote from: kkc60 on February 23, 2024, 04:06:19 PMAll interesting names for sure. Randolph will be intriguing to see. Not too much experience, especially at tackle but ya never know. I liked Randall last time he was here, glad he's back. Gemmel, not too sure where he fits in considering we have Bighill, Cole and Wilson but a couple of those guys might be gone after this season.

At some point one of those 3 is going to suffer an injury and not convinced Cole is fully prepared to step in as Clements was, especially not at MLB. So we're looking at Gauthier as Bighill's only backup unless they move Wilson to MLB.

Pete · February 23, 2024, 07:29:17 PM

Cole showed a lot of growth in the back half of last season. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that Bombers made a conscious decision to keep him ahead of Clements because they felt his upside was bigger not just salary cap issues.

kkc60 · February 23, 2024, 07:48:54 PM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on February 23, 2024, 06:56:56 PMAt some point one of those 3 is going to suffer an injury and not convinced Cole is fully prepared to step in as Clements was, especially not at MLB. So we're looking at Gauthier as Bighill's only backup unless they move Wilson to MLB.

I could see Cole play WLB, maybe even backup at SAM (he was a safety in college). Gemmel is built to play either MLB or WLB

Throw Long Bannatyne · February 23, 2024, 08:00:56 PM

Quote from: Pete on February 23, 2024, 07:29:17 PMCole showed a lot of growth in the back half of last season. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that Bombers made a conscious decision to keep him ahead of Clements because they felt his upside was bigger not just salary cap issues.

Cole is a great multi-tool player because of his athleticism, but he's under weight for MLB and hasn't yet shown he has the IQ to fill in for multiple games like Clements did. IMO LB is one of the more difficult positions to grasp, there is a steep learning curve to be able to recognize what's happening on every play and move towards the right spot. We shall see.