2026 Main Training Camp - News & Views

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Blue Bombers Training Camp | Day 17

Ed Tait
@EdTaitWFC

It's so close now — one more full practice, a walk-through and then the final preseason game — and Kydran Jenkins understands fully there's something there for the taking; something for him to grab hold of and call his own.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are just a couple days away from their final preseason game this Friday at home against the B.C. Lions. Roster spots are still available and so, too, are some vacancies still to be determined in the starting lineup.

And Jenkins, as a slippery machine coming off the edge, would absolutely kill to see his name pencilled in as the starting defensive end opposite Willie Jefferson.

"I want it bad," Jenkins told bluebombers.com after practice this week. "Look, just this opportunity to play football again is a blessing. But I want it for myself. I want it for my family. If you're out here, you have to love it.

"I love this game. When they called me last fall, it was a no brainer. I was ready. I wanted to come that very day when they called me."

Yes, football fans in these parts were first introduced to Jenkins last October when the 23-year-old product of Purdue University and Louisville, GA was added as part of the practice roster expansion.

He suited up for the regular-season finale against the Montreal Alouettes and made an eyebrow raising impression with his first career tackle and quarterback sack.

And the player we've seen over the last three weeks or so is a further developed prospect than the blank canvas he was upon arrival last fall.

"He can get after the passer. That's his game — he can really rush the passer," said Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea. "He's got deceiving size and weight (6-1, 275), so he packs a lot of punch into his frame and that can catch guys off guard. He's also quicker than some guys might consider. He also has some creativity when it comes to rushing the passer."

Whoever grabs that spot would be replacing veteran James Vaughters, who left in free agency this winter for the Saskatchewan Roughriders after leading the Blue Bombers in sacks with six.

Asked what they are seeking in that end position, O'Shea added this:

"We're looking for a complete player. We're not just looking for just a pass rusher; we're looking for a complete player. It happens that one of his (Jenkins) major attributes is he can get after it pretty good.

"We need a guy who is going to grow, with football IQ who is going to play however it comes to him, whatever the offence throws at us, he's going to play the play correctly. That's what we would need — that kind of consistent play, but also consistent effort throughout the course of the game."

Jenkins liked his first preseason effort in Saskatoon last Saturday — he had three tackles as the Blue Bombers rolled through a bunch of D-linemen — but, again, now it's time to close the deal.

"I'm trying to chase that other end spot and be the main guy for that. I'm working to make sure I'm doing my job, that I know everything. This camp is different. Last October I came in just to showcase my talent. Now I'm competing for a spot.

"This is just making me hungrier and hungrier for the season. I have a chance again on Friday to do my thing and showcase my talent."

DAY 17 NOTES:

Highlights from Mike O'Shea's media session, which can be viewed in its entirety here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcWyA4oUVgA

On linebacker Ja'Kobe Clinton, who had a Pick-6 in Saturday's game in Saskatoon:

"Very athletic. Small-school guy. Very self-aware — understands he comes in now to a pro playbook and there is a lot. Different field, different game and there's a lot to learn but he is attacking it with vigour. That kind of self-awareness is pretty cool to see."

"It's pretty evident that he's a grinder. We like those type of guys. They generally have a lot of gratitude for being where they're at because their journey has been tougher and they are usually not afraid to express that. They show it with the way they attack the day; how they play, how they run around. That's generally noticeable."

-On Zach Collaros when it was suggested there is some chatter that for a guy who turns 38 in August he is, 'too old, too slow and not as accurate":

"That's not what I see. I see a guy who is the best quarterback in the league."

-On what he sees from receiver Dorian Singer, who also returned kicks on Saturday:

"What I see him doing is he's got a script in his hand and he's walking the field reading the script, lining up, moving into the plays, getting that extra work in after and, generally speaking, he brings some other guys with him to do it. So, he's learning and teaching by learning.

"He's a skilled returner and a very good receiver, too. I notice the amount of work he's doing when nobody's watching."

https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/05/26/blue-bombers-training-camp-day-17/

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I think Gatkouth makes the AR just because our DL depth is hindered after losing Schmekel. Either way, I doubt we put top draft choices on the PR. I'd think maybe the reserve to protect him. I don't really know how well he's showing in practice but I think he makes the game day roster.

Daniels same thing but his role will be different than Chris-Ike and there are only so many roster spots, it is a question.

I agree that Kelly or Hallett could be potential sacrifices but O'Shea loves guys like Hallett and he does play well on ST's. There is always a trade off in choices. In his case, I think he should be retained.

Stuart might be the wild card in choices for ST and upside. Based on 2025, O'Shea doesn't rush newbies into bigger roles. So this is all a TBD.

Can you please repost that PR list you guesstimated earlier in this thread?  I honestly can't find it, it's time to re-examine and poke a few holes in it. There may be a few surprises left but I agree with your assertion the roster is mostly set.

[gobombersgo]

[Pigskin]

Do we have a better QB room then last season.

[Blue In BC]

Can you please repost that PR list you guesstimated earlier in this thread?  I honestly can't find it, it's time to re-examine and poke a few holes in it. There may be a few surprises left but I agree with your assertion the roster is mostly set.

I don't think I posted a PR list but I'll check. I posted an import list and a Canadian list. In the Rider game day string. We have 87 players at the moment. 40 will be released over the weekend and 15 will go to the PR if none go to IR that aren't there already ( JSK and Novak ).

We're allowed 20 imports that aren't QB's. Bombers will only have 2 import QB's so our total should be 22 import on the game day roster, excluding whatever they do with the reserve.

1. Bryant
2. Broxton
3. O. Wilson
4. White
5. Jones
6. K. Wilson
7. Griffin
8. Woodbey
9.  Holm
10. Nichols
11. Moxey
12. Burrell
13. Ceresna
14. Jefferson
15. Jenkins
16. Vaval
17. Castillo
18. Collaros
19. Perkins

So in theory we have 3 more spots of which 1 is a  DI's ( potentially ) and 1 is just a non starter due to starting 8 Canadians. Yesterday we started 9 Canadians so that's a limbo question where we add an import starter.

Choices: Singer or Fredericksen, Allen, Ayers, 1 additional import OL( starting ), Dixon

In this scenario Castillo, Vaval and Woodbey would be 3 of the DI's.

IMO Singer makes the roster over another import OL. I'd pick Dixon over Ayers as a DI but O'Shea probably picks Ayers but that might still leave room for Dixon.

If they choose to retain Allen then Dixon is probably not on the AR.

Note: The list of Canadians is post 133 in that string.

Poke away though. Another view is always interesting and worth discussion.

[gobombersgo]

[LXTSN]

I don't think I posted a PR list but I'll check. I posted an import list and a Canadian list. In the Rider game day string. We have 87 players at the moment. 40 will be released over the weekend and 15 will go to the PR if none go to IR that aren't there already ( JSK and Novak ).

We're allowed 20 imports that aren't QB's. Bombers will only have 2 import QB's so our total should be 22 import on the game day roster, excluding whatever they do with the reserve.

1. Bryant
2. Broxton
3. O. Wilson
4. White
5. Jones
6. K. Wilson
7. Griffin
8. Woodbey
9.  Holm
10. Nichols
11. Moxey
12. Burrell
13. Ceresna
14. Jefferson
15. Jenkins
16. Vaval
17. Castillo
18. Collaros
19. Perkins

So in theory we have 3 more spots of which 1 is a  DI's ( potentially ) and 1 is just a non starter due to starting 8 Canadians. Yesterday we started 9 Canadians so that's a limbo question where we add an import starter.

Choices: Singer or Fredericksen, Allen, Ayers, 1 additional import OL( starting ), Dixon

In this scenario Castillo, Vaval and Woodbey would be 3 of the DI's.

IMO Singer makes the roster over another import OL. I'd pick Dixon over Ayers as a DI but O'Shea probably picks Ayers but that might still leave room for Dixon.

If they choose to retain Allen then Dixon is probably not on the AR.

Note: The list of Canadians is post 133 in that string.

Poke away though. Another view is always interesting and worth discussion.

This is a really helpful guide!
I'd like to see Dixon on the roster so we can really rotate the DL and keep guys fresh.
Singer really should be a starter. If their plan is to only roster 2 import WR, I really think they are missing out on some offensive firepower.
To me the question would be between Allen and Ayers. Both these guys can rotate in on defense (for certain packages) and special teams. Ayers is very effective on special teams, while I think that Allen could be very useful rotating out a LB in favor of a second safety/DB. I lean towards keeping Allen because we just have so much depth at LB.

Is there a chance that Woodbey goes on the PR over Ayers?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I don't think I posted a PR list but I'll check. I posted an import list and a Canadian list. In the Rider game day string. We have 87 players at the moment. 40 will be released over the weekend and 15 will go to the PR if none go to IR that aren't there already ( JSK and Novak ).

We're allowed 20 imports that aren't QB's. Bombers will only have 2 import QB's so our total should be 22 import on the game day roster, excluding whatever they do with the reserve.

1. Bryant
2. Broxton
3. O. Wilson
4. White
5. Jones
6. K. Wilson
7. Griffin
8. Woodbey
9.  Holm
10. Nichols
11. Moxey
12. Burrell
13. Ceresna
14. Jefferson
15. Jenkins
16. Vaval
17. Castillo
18. Collaros
19. Perkins

So in theory we have 3 more spots of which 1 is a  DI's ( potentially ) and 1 is just a non starter due to starting 8 Canadians. Yesterday we started 9 Canadians so that's a limbo question where we add an import starter.

Choices: Singer or Fredericksen, Allen, Ayers, 1 additional import OL( starting ), Dixon

In this scenario Castillo, Vaval and Woodbey would be 3 of the DI's.

IMO Singer makes the roster over another import OL. I'd pick Dixon over Ayers as a DI but O'Shea probably picks Ayers but that might still leave room for Dixon.

If they choose to retain Allen then Dixon is probably not on the AR.

Note: The list of Canadians is post 133 in that string.

Poke away though. Another view is always interesting and worth discussion.

Ok thanks, maybe someone else posted it.

Contentious battles.

OL Vanterpool-Randolph
-One spot on the reserve or PR as an injury replacement, the other likely gets cut. It would be nice to keep them both but they decided to bring Stan back. I don't think any new Import O-lineman surpassed their level of play or versatility.

DB Texada-Burrell-Williams, 
Retention of Allen could mean 2 get cut, Vaval remains an emergency backup.

DL Jenkins-Dixon
Loser goes to the PR or reserve as an injury replacement, M-Bailey or Gatkuoth becomes the rotational DE.

ST Kelly-Hallett
Have to make room for the younger Natls, Stuart to the PR.

[Tecno]

DB Texada-Burrell-Williams, 
Retention of Allen could mean 2 get cut, Vaval remains an emergency backup.

Some here are touting Burrell and/or Williams, but it was Texada's name that was constantly being mentioned all TC.  Not sure where the B & W hype is coming from.

[Tecno]

Do we have a better QB room then last season.

If Zach stays healthy for 95% of the season, we absolutely have a better QB room.  If Zach misses 5 games again, then we most likely have a garbage QB room.  IOW, we have a great room for the future.

My hope would be Perkins can get up to speed well enough to be able to win 50% come week 18.  And Elgersma gets to that level by labor day '27.

One caveat: who is doing SY and will they be any good?  If they pull a Pigrome, Tecno -- and MOS -- are gonna be mighty angry.

[TBURGESS]

You don't decide how good the QB room is based on if/when Collaros gets hurt. 

Our starting QB is the same. After that we have no one with any CFL starting experience. I'd say the QB room is worse based on that.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

You don't decide how good the QB room is based on if/when Collaros gets hurt.

Our starting QB is the same. After that we have no one with any CFL starting experience. I'd say the QB room is worse based on that.

I'll take the more positive path on this one actually.

If you're on to your backup QB for any length of time, it's going to sink most teams even if the backup is "good".

Elgersma gives us the possibility of someone coming in and giving us more than that. Worst case scenario he's no more effective than Streveler or any of the other terrible backups. Best case, he learns quick and takes over the job. You only get that chance if you've got a guy like him and not like Jake Maier or whatever.

I'd rather not find out this year, but if we do, glad reps would go to a guy who might get there versus MBT or some other dead end stop gap who won't win anyway.

[Blueforlife]

QB room has the best followed but a hot prospect and an unknown with some previous success in other league.  Good enough.  Fly in someone if s#it hits fan.