CFL Combine - March 21 to 23, 2025

[ModAdmin]

The CFL Combine is happening in Regina over the next couple of days.  Some thoughts from CFL's Jamie Nye are in the following article and an excerpt about the Blue Bombers is included...

 https://www.cfl.ca/2025/03/19/1-position-group-to-watch-at-the-cfl-combine-for-every-team/?lid=nh2z23hp71dd&utm_cta=feature-title&utm_source=braze&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Field+Pass+Newsletter+-+2025+Combine&utm_brazeid=64d2d75607cbf60001365778&utm_content=&tf_u%5Bcfl_braze_id%5D=64d2d75607cbf60001365778&utm_instance=cfl&CAMEFROM=CFC_CFL_EMAIL_BRAZE_2025&src=cfl_email_unreal2025

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS – OFFENSIVE LINE

"Usually I put a disclaimer on this piece that I never say offensive line because it's a given that all CFL teams will be looking at offensive linemen.

Duh!

But the Bombers are so desperate for depth, I left the disclaimer out this time because of Winnipeg. They should draft three of them and possibly with their first three picks!

They had some key departures in recent free agency periods, with names like Drew Desjarlais, Liam Dobson, Michael Couture, to name a few, signing elsewhere. Now they're really thin at a spot they traditionally roll out three starters.

There were times they did go three American because of Patrick Neufeld's injury but that is a last resort for many teams in the CFL.

Neufeld and Chris Kolankowski are both climbing deeper into their 30s, so the succession plan has to be in place soon."

[Pigskin]

I hope the Bombers are looking closely at (LB) Devin Veresuk, 6'3" 230, the kid is a play maker. The other player is (DB) Jackson Findlay 6'3" 205, this is another play maker with speed and size.

[Pigskin]

Top two (OL) Andersen 6'5" 305, and Fortin 6'5" 300.

[ModAdmin]

JEREMIAH OJO | DEFENSIVE LINE | MONTREAL

Ojo brings a lot to the table as a 2025 CFL Draft prospect, but the defensive lineman exceeded the lofty expectations everyone had for him by showcasing his burst at the 40-yard dash in Regina.

The former Carabin registered a 4.59 time at 246 pounds, finishing first among all defensive linemen present at the CFL Combine. Ojo also finished tied for fifth in the bench press with 25 reps.

"Weighed at 246 pounds on Thursday with almost 34-inch arms, which explains how he beat so many people from his time at the University of Montreal," said Ferguson. "He ran a 4.59 at almost 250 pounds. His shuttle times were good, his movement skills were good, solid on the bench press as well.

"He and (Queen's defensive lineman) Darien Newell look like they will be the stories of this defensive line coming out of the combine based on their game film. Now we get to see them hit the field on Saturday and see them head to head, which will be awesome."

https://www.cfl.ca/2025/03/21/3-cfl-combine-standout-performers-from-friday/

[Pigskin]

JEREMIAH OJO | DEFENSIVE LINE | MONTREAL

Ojo brings a lot to the table as a 2025 CFL Draft prospect, but the defensive lineman exceeded the lofty expectations everyone had for him by showcasing his burst at the 40-yard dash in Regina.

The former Carabin registered a 4.59 time at 246 pounds, finishing first among all defensive linemen present at the CFL Combine. Ojo also finished tied for fifth in the bench press with 25 reps.

"Weighed at 246 pounds on Thursday with almost 34-inch arms, which explains how he beat so many people from his time at the University of Montreal," said Ferguson. "He ran a 4.59 at almost 250 pounds. His shuttle times were good, his movement skills were good, solid on the bench press as well.

"He and (Queen's defensive lineman) Darien Newell look like they will be the stories of this defensive line coming out of the combine based on their game film. Now we get to see them hit the field on Saturday and see them head to head, which will be awesome."

https://www.cfl.ca/2025/03/21/3-cfl-combine-standout-performers-from-friday/

Yes Ojo is super quick for a big man. Could be a nice DE for the Bombers.

Eric Cumberbatch is also another guy that has impressed. (DB). 6'2", 202, 4.51/40.

[ModAdmin]

Kyle Walters' take on Jackson Tachinski, U of M's quarterback turned receiver...

"It sums him up — he's a football player," said Blue Bombers GM Kyle Walters. "Jackson is a football player, he's a winner and he'll do whatever he can to help his team succeed. We saw that through his whole university career where he was just making plays and putting his body on the line to get a first down.

"I think he's realizing now this is about, 'the more you can do.' It's no different than offensive guards or tackles learning to snap, or a big defensive tackle showing he could also play guard. At this point some of the smart players show, 'Hey, I can do more than just one thing.'"

Tachinski helped lead the Bisons to a 7-1 record last year and is familiar to the Blue Bombers as a participant in the CFL's Canadian QB Internship Program during a couple of rookie camps, including last year.

Now that's being eyeballed as a receiver, he's been cramming for this like he would for a final exam. He's watched countless hours of film before and since the combine in Waterloo, has been getting reps on turf in Winnipeg with the likes of Kenny Lawler, Bisons teammate AK Gassama — a Blue Bombers draft pick last year — and even reached out to the most famous CFL example of the QB-to-receiver transition in Brad Sinopoli."

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/03/22/1st-10-tachinksis-chance-to-shine/

[BomberFan73]

Kyle Walters' take on Jackson Tachinski, U of M's quarterback turned receiver...

"It sums him up — he's a football player," said Blue Bombers GM Kyle Walters. "Jackson is a football player, he's a winner and he'll do whatever he can to help his team succeed. We saw that through his whole university career where he was just making plays and putting his body on the line to get a first down.

"I think he's realizing now this is about, 'the more you can do.' It's no different than offensive guards or tackles learning to snap, or a big defensive tackle showing he could also play guard. At this point some of the smart players show, 'Hey, I can do more than just one thing.'"

Tachinski helped lead the Bisons to a 7-1 record last year and is familiar to the Blue Bombers as a participant in the CFL's Canadian QB Internship Program during a couple of rookie camps, including last year.

Now that's being eyeballed as a receiver, he's been cramming for this like he would for a final exam. He's watched countless hours of film before and since the combine in Waterloo, has been getting reps on turf in Winnipeg with the likes of Kenny Lawler, Bisons teammate AK Gassama — a Blue Bombers draft pick last year — and even reached out to the most famous CFL example of the QB-to-receiver transition in Brad Sinopoli."

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/03/22/1st-10-tachinksis-chance-to-shine/

I wouldn't be surprised if we picked him. I wonder how high though?

[Blue In BC]

I wouldn't be surprised if we picked him. I wonder how high though?

At best he's going to need some development time and be willing to sit on the PR. Bombers already have more QB's than they will be able to keep including a decision to be made on whether we sit one on our PR.

So that's the rub. Is he capable of being a short yardage QB in the short term. Noting that we already have Streveler and Wilson as capable of doing that.

I'm not sure a # 4 QB on the PR gets much opportunity in practice and we don't really see many teams retaining a # 4 QB on their PR's.

If we draft him, then IMO it would be one of the last couple of picks. Even then, how realistically can he beat out Dolegala, Wilson or Patterson on our rosters?

I still have no idea what the team is expecting to happen aside from Streveler pencilled in at # 2 QB.

[Jesse]

At best he's going to need some development time and be willing to sit on the PR. Bombers already have more QB's than they will be able to keep including a decision to be made on whether we sit one on our PR.

So that's the rub. Is he capable of being a short yardage QB in the short term. Noting that we already have Streveler and Wilson as capable of doing that.

I'm not sure a # 4 QB on the PR gets much opportunity in practice and we don't really see many teams retaining a # 4 QB on their PR's.

If we draft him, then IMO it would be one of the last couple of picks. Even then, how realistically can he beat out Dolegala, Wilson or Patterson on our rosters?

I still have no idea what the team is expecting to happen aside from Streveler pencilled in at # 2 QB.

Sounds like he's just being looked at as a receiver.

[Blue In BC]

Sounds like he's just being looked at as a receiver.

He's been at two Bomber TC's. Did they work him as a receiver or only a QB? It's not an impossible transition but it's also not an easy one.

We do need to look at our Canadian depth at receiver. In that sense he MIGHT have more of an opportunity than I imagine.

All of that is IF we even draft him. It wouldn't entirely surprise me to see that he isn't drafted by any team but picked up for TC as an undrafted player.

[BomberFan73]

He's been at two Bomber TC's. Did they work him as a receiver or only a QB? It's not an impossible transition but it's also not an easy one.

We do need to look at our Canadian depth at receiver. In that sense he MIGHT have more of an opportunity than I imagine.

All of that is IF we even draft him. It wouldn't entirely surprise me to see that he isn't drafted by any team but picked up for TC as an undrafted player.

Ya, I was thinking of him as a WR. His inexperience there could lead to him going under the radar and maybe be a late rnd pick, or just an invite like you said.
He is a good QB though, been talked about in local scenes for years. Would be cool to see him get in for a gimmick play.

[theaardvark]

At best he's going to need some development time and be willing to sit on the PR. Bombers already have more QB's than they will be able to keep including a decision to be made on whether we sit one on our PR.

So that's the rub. Is he capable of being a short yardage QB in the short term. Noting that we already have Streveler and Wilson as capable of doing that.

I'm not sure a # 4 QB on the PR gets much opportunity in practice and we don't really see many teams retaining a # 4 QB on their PR's.

If we draft him, then IMO it would be one of the last couple of picks. Even then, how realistically can he beat out Dolegala, Wilson or Patterson on our rosters?

I still have no idea what the team is expecting to happen aside from Streveler pencilled in at # 2 QB.

I think the whole idea of the interview with Walters is that he's now being considered as a WR, not a QB... 

[dd]

Touching story of a local product, but at draft time you take the best athlete available. Impressive 250 lb DL who run 4.59 40's and 6'5" linemen are freaks!!! and obviously will be taken early.

If this kid gets drafted, it will be in the last round and only if they feel he can play special teams or reciever. Qb is totally out of the question.

[theaardvark]

We pick 7, 16, 18...

I don't think an "Impressive 250 lb DL who run 4.59 40's and 6'5" linemen" will be available...

[Jesse]

We pick 7, 16, 18...

I don't think an "Impressive 250 lb DL who run 4.59 40's and 6'5" linemen" will be available...

Gabe Wallace was in the 2nd round last year. Stop giving the Bombers excuses to fail. We should absolutely expect good drafting from them.