Blue Bombers ink eight 2024 CFL Draft selections

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers ink eight 2024 CFL Draft selections

WINNIPEG, MB., May 5, 2024 - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed eight of their 2024 CFL Draft selections including Kevens Clercius, Gabe Wallace, Kyle Samson, Ian Leroux, Ethan Kalra, AK Gassama, Michael Vlahogiannis and Owen Hubert.

Clercius (6-2, 217, University of Connecticut; born: October 7, 1999, in Montreal, Quebec) appeared in 37 games over three years with the UConn Huskies, pulling in 49 passes for 604 yards and five touchdowns.

The son of Haitian immigrants, Clercius lost his mother to illness at age 14 and arrived speaking almost no English but enrolled in language classes before school started, landing a scholarship at UConn.

Wallace (6-6, 333, University of Buffalo; born: January 9, 2000, in Salmon Arm, BC) dressed for 49 career games with the Bulls after redshirting with the team in 2018. He was a three-year starter, starting 28 games at guard, seven games at left tackle, and two games at right tackle. He was named third-team All-MAC as a senior in 2022 when he played exclusively at left guard, helping the Bulls rank top five in total offence.

Samson (6-3, 290, University of Columbia; born: November 14, 2000, in Hamilton, ON) dressed for 25 career games with the Thunderbirds over his four years with the team. He recorded 6.5 sacks and 48.5 total tackles, also adding an interception over his UBC career. He was named a two-time U SPORTS Second-Team all-Canadian (2023, 2022), a two-time Canada West all-star (2023, 2022), and won the 2023 Hardy Cup and Mitchell Bowl.

Leroux (6-1, 225, University of Laval; born: May 6, 1999, in Quebec City, QC) is committed to returning to Laval next season. Over his four seasons with Laval, Leroux dressed for 29 games, recording 14 tackles and one interception. He was a 2022 Dunsmore Cup, Mitchell Bowl and Vanier Cup winner.

Kalra (6-2, 309, University of Waterloo; born: March 27, 2000, in Acton, ON) was a 2023 East-West Bowl participant (West Team) and started in all 29 games of his four-year career with the Warriors. Kalra started his collegiate career at right tackle before making the switch to right guard in his sophomore year.

Gassama (5-9, 158, University of Manitoba; born: October 13, 1999, in Winnipeg, MB) arrived in Winnipeg as a refugee, growing up in Sierra Leone during the Civil War before moving to Canada as a young child. In 2017, he secured a scholarship to the U of M and became the seventh player in program history to record 100 catches and tally 1,000 receiving yards in 2022. Gassama was named the '22-23 Bison Sports Male Athlete of the Year and is also a two-time All-Canadian.

Vlahogiannis (6-3, 312, McGill; born: November 11, 1998, in Montreal, QC) was named a 2023 RSEQ all-star and was a 2023 East-West Bowl participant (East Team) in a year in which he dressed for eight games, starting seven and helping his team amass 1,193 rushing yards. Over his four years with the Redbirds, Vlahogiannis started 19 games at centre.

Hubert (6-4, 263, McMaster; born: March 1, 2000, in Norwood, ON) played four seasons with the Marauders, seeing action in 27 games and recording 65 total tackles (42 solo, 23 assisted). In his senior year, Hubert also recorded five sacks and a forced fumble and was selected for East-West Bowl in 2022.

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers transactions - May 5, 2024

WINNIPEG, MB., May 5, 2024 - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has released American defensive back Anthony Blue.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Darn would have made a top notch last name on the club!

[TecnoGenius]

Darn would have made a top notch last name on the club!

Ya, retain Blue & then seek out another DB named Gold.  Our defensive back field: Blue & Gold.

[theaardvark]

Everyone but Chris-Ike... wonder why?

[ModAdmin]

Everyone but Chris-Ike... wonder why?

He has an invite to attend a rookie mini-camp with the New York Jets.

[theaardvark]

He has an invite to attend a rookie mini-camp with the New York Jets.

Well then, that makes sense.  The fact that Walters so quickly got everyone else done is pretty exciting, this draft class has bought into the team.  And who wouldn't.