Blue Bombers add to roster
WINNIPEG, MB., November 17, 2025 – T The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the team has signed American defensive back Alijah McGhee, American receiver Tyrone (TJ) Davis, American offensive linemen Zovon Lindsay, Sebastian Pares, and Michael (Bucky) Williams, and American receiver Kenneth Womack to futures deals as of the 2026 season.
McGhee (6-2, 195, Minnesota State Mankato; born: October 13, 1999, in Warner Robins, GA.) signs a futures contract with the Bombers after spending the last two seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks, and a five-year collegiate career with Kentucky Wesleyan (2018-2020), and Minnesota State (2021-2022).
McGhee signed with the Redblacks in August 2023. During his rookie season he appeared in two games with six tackles and one forced fumble. In 2024, after recovering from an early injury, he started 11 of the final 12 games, finishing with 44 tackles, three interceptions, and one forced fumble. His CFL totals now stand at 50 tackles, seven pass deflections, three interceptions for 46 return yards, and two forced fumbles.
Before going pro, McGhee played at Kentucky Wesleyan (2018–2020), recording 82 tackles and 14 pass breakups. He transferred to Minnesota State (2021–2022), where he totaled 80 tackles, nine pass breakups, two interceptions, seven tackles for loss, and two blocked kicks. In 2022, he earned Second Team All-NSIC honours and multiple defensive players of the week awards.
Davis (6-3, 180, Nebraska-Kearney; born: January 27, 2000, in Colorado Springs, CO.) signs a futures contract with the Blue Bombers after one season in the IFL, and a five-year collegiate career with the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
Davis signed with the Green Bay Blizzard of the Indoor Football League (IFL) in July 2024 but did not appear in any games. He re-signed with the team on November 27, 2024.
In his 2025 season, Davis played in 19 games during his rookie season. He recorded 70 receptions for 904 yards and 26 touchdowns, rushed 14 times for 45 yards and two touchdowns, completed a four-yard touchdown pass, and returned 21 kicks for 355 yards. He was named to both the All-IFL Second Team and the IFL All-Rookie Team.
In college, Davis played five seasons (2019–2023) at quarterback for the University of Nebraska–Kearney. In 49 games, he completed 402 passes for 6,525 yards, 61 touchdowns while adding 4,361 rushing yards and 61 touchdowns on 852 carries. Davis also recorded three receptions for eight yards and one touchdown. As a starter, he led the Lopers to a 25–9 record.
Davis was a two-time MIAA Offensive Player of the Year, two-time AFCA All-American, and two-time finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy.
Lindsay (6-4, 300, Coastal Carolina; born: November 28, 2000, in Fayetteville, NC.) signs a futures deal with the Bombers after a five-year collegiate career with NC State (2019-2020), and Coastal Carolina (2021-2023).
Lindsay began his collegiate career at NC State University for the 2019 and 2020 seasons but did not see any game action.
In 2021, Lindsay transferred to Coastal Carolina University. Over the next three seasons, he played in 39 games, starting in 36 of them. In 2023 as an offence, Coastal ranked first in the Sun Belt in passing yards per attempt (8.49), and third in yards per play (6.33) and sacks allowed (16). They ranked 24th nationally in sacks allowed.
Pares (6-6, 310, Eastern Illinois; born: February 12, 2001, in Joliet, IL.) signs a futures deal after a three-year collegiate career with the University of Sioux Falls (2019), and Eastern Illinois (2023-2024).
Pares began his college career at the University of Sioux Falls where he would appear in 21 games, finishing both seasons with an 8-3 record.
For the 2023 season, Pares transferred to Eastern Illinois, where he would appear in 22 games, starting all but one over two seasons. The 2024 season saw Pares block for a first team All-Conference running back, and pass protected a 3,000-yard quarterback for the fourth time in school history. The year prior, Pares was named to the second team All Big-South-OVC Football Association at offensive line.
Williams (6-3, 300, Appalachian State; born: March 20, 2000, in Ringgold, GA.) signs with the Bombers after two NFL contracts and a five-year collegiate career with Austin Peay (2019-2021), and Appalachian State (2022-2023).
Williams appeared in 61 career collegiate games with 53 starts, including starting all 14 games in 2023 for Appalachian State, where he earned First-Team All-Sun Belt honours while allowing just two sacks in 470 pass-blocking snaps. Prior to that, he made 34 straight starts at Austin Peay State University and was named a Second-Team FCS All�-American.
Williams entered the NFL in 2024 as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Los Angeles Chargers, and spent his rookie season on injured reserve. He has also spent time in the Cleveland Browns organization this season.
Womack (6-0, 195, Western Michigan; born: February 7, 2001, in Upper Marlboro, MD.) signs a futures deal with the Bombers after a five-year collegiate career with Sacred Heart (2020-2022) and Western Michigan (2023-2024).
He began his collegiate career at Sacred Heart University, where he recorded 98 receptions for 1,234 yards and five touchdowns. In his 2022 season he led the team with 721 receiving yards on 52 catches and scored three receiving touchdowns.
In 2023, he transferred to Western Michigan University and would catch 115 passes for 1,236 yards and two touchdowns over the next two seasons (22 games). After the 2023 season he was named First Team All-MAC and led the MAC in receptions with 76.
Off and running building the TC for 2026.
Just one observation, we already had a couple of rookie OL from the season ending PR. Today we're potentially adding another 3. Not all of them will end up in TC but it's clear they are going to be addressing the OL.
I can't honestly say which of Randolph, Lofton and Vanterpool will still be around by TC. They have the early advantage but they may face more competition this year.
Bring them on. The more the merrier. Sign lots on DL guys to please Kyle!
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 17, 2025, 04:41:00 PMOff and running building the TC for 2026.
Just one observation, we already had a couple of rookie OL from the season ending PR. Today we're potentially adding another 3. Not all of them will end up in TC but it's clear they are going to be addressing the OL.
I can't honestly say which of Randolph, Lofton and Vanterpool will still be around by TC. They have the early advantage but they may face more competition this year.
It seems the O-line is a difficult position to jump the cue under the current regime, they have significant investment in Randolph, Lofton and Vanterpool, just can't see them throwing that away unless a rookie blows their doors off. If they uncover a good one, he's likely to spend his first season at the back of the bus or on the PR learning the ropes from the established veterans.
The notion of replacing Kola at Centre will come about from a vet picked up in FA, or accomplished internally with shuffling of current personnel IMO.
McGhee at 6'2" 195 adds a little size to our DB group.
19 Games: 72 DTs, 3 STs, 4 Int, 1 TD, 2 FF.
Quote from: Pigskin on November 17, 2025, 08:34:22 PMMcGhee at 6'2" 195 adds a little size to our DB group.
I was quite surprised by the size, but kind of like it.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 17, 2025, 06:56:27 PMIt seems the O-line is a difficult position to jump the cue under the current regime, they have significant investment in Randolph, Lofton and Vanterpool, just can't see them throwing that away unless a rookie blows their doors off. If they uncover a good one, he's likely to spend his first season at the back of the bus or on the PR learning the ropes from the established veterans.
The notion of replacing Kola at Centre will come about from a vet picked up in FA, or accomplished internally with shuffling of current personnel IMO.
I really hope Kolo is gone.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 17, 2025, 06:56:27 PMIt seems the O-line is a difficult position to jump the cue under the current regime, they have significant investment in Randolph, Lofton and Vanterpool, just can't see them throwing that away unless a rookie blows their doors off. If they uncover a good one, he's likely to spend his first season at the back of the bus or on the PR learning the ropes from the established veterans.
The notion of replacing Kola at Centre will come about from a vet picked up in FA, or accomplished internally with shuffling of current personnel IMO.
I'm not sure what Lofton's injury was and he's a potential free agent. 4 other OL are on that list including Bryant.
Bryant is probably back but SMS hit can't be ignored either.
In any case they need injury depth and players on the PR if they don't beat someone out outright.
Hopefully they'll be looking for a very good OL in free agency. That's a TBD for now. The draft is another question but Vibert might progress to making the AR if we have a departure.
Lots of things that might happen I suppose.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 17, 2025, 09:47:51 PMI'm not sure what Lofton's injury was and he's a potential free agent. 4 other OL are on that list including Bryant.
Bryant is probably back but SMS hit can't be ignored either.
In any case they need injury depth and players on the PR if they don't beat someone out outright.
Hopefully they'll be looking for a very good OL in free agency. That's a TBD for now. The draft is another question but Vibert might progress to making the AR if we have a departure.
Lots of things that might happen I suppose.
You're right, I think Neuf and Eli will be back, Lofton and Bryant TBD. Perfect if they let Kola drift off into the night with no hard feelings, I won't be at all surprised if he shows up on an Eastern team's roster though.
Offensive line free agents.
Stanley Bryant (A)
Tui Eli (N)
Chris Kolankowski (N)
Eric Lofton (A)
Patrick Neufeld (N
Quote from: Pigskin on November 17, 2025, 08:34:22 PMMcGhee at 6'2" 195 adds a little size to our DB group.
He was so-so in OTT. Name was mentioned a lot. Not always a good thing. However, I don't recall him sucking rocks. And he was on that sad sack team. Might be much better on a real team with real schemes.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 17, 2025, 06:56:27 PMIt seems the O-line is a difficult position to jump the cue under the current regime, they have significant investment in Randolph, Lofton and Vanterpool, just can't see them throwing that away unless a rookie blows their doors off.
If Rand/Vant are coming off ELC then we could very easily cut bait. Neither has wowed anyone, though Rand was doing better in pass pro by year end. Vant was great at LG, but it seems we don't want to go 3 IMP.
We've let IMP 2nd/3rd year guys walk before. Many times. My hunch is 1 or both are gone. Look what a "real" RT can do for a team (see: SSK). I want to see at least 30% more spent on OL than last season.
Lofton was only a bit better than Rand, and if he's always hurt then we probably move on, too. He was always only ever a placeholder anyhow until we found the next Yoshi.
A few more I noticed this morning on CFL.ca's Transactions page:
De'Shaan Dixon (DE - ex-Jacksonville Jaguars) - 6'4", 247#, Norfolk State https://www.cfl.ca/players/de-shaan-dixon/184993/
Ben Dooley (OL) - 6'5", 320#, Boise State https://www.cfl.ca/players/ben-dooley/184960/
Hunter Poncius (OL - Ex- Alouettes) - 6'8", 318#, North Dakota State https://www.cfl.ca/players/hunter-poncius/169467/
Micheal "Flip" Dixon (DB) - 6'2". 210# - Rutgers - No stats given, no landing page on CFL.CA
Bryce Kirtz (WR) - Northwestern, 6'0", 195# - No stats given, no landing page on CFL.CA
Quote from: Tecno on November 18, 2025, 05:39:34 AMIf Rand/Vant are coming off ELC then we could very easily cut bait. Neither has wowed anyone, though Rand was doing better in pass pro by year end. Vant was great at LG, but it seems we don't want to go 3 IMP.
We've let IMP 2nd/3rd year guys walk before. Many times. My hunch is 1 or both are gone. Look what a "real" RT can do for a team (see: SSK). I want to see at least 30% more spent on OL than last season.
Lofton was only a bit better than Rand, and if he's always hurt then we probably move on, too. He was always only ever a placeholder anyhow until we found the next Yoshi.
Neither Randolph or Vanterpool are FA, so they're likely back. Introduce 3 new O-lineman in one season and you're looking at a long learning curve. Sask. struggled with that problem for years, they finally went 4 Imports to create stability this season. Yoshi is doing ok, but he's not worthy of HOF induction, he's currently riding a wave of temporary Rider love.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 18, 2025, 06:21:49 PMYoshi is doing ok, but he's not worthy of HOF induction, he's currently riding a wave of temporary Rider love.
According to Pro Football Focus' CFL analysis, Hardrick topped all offensive linemen in the CFL in 2025 with an 84.4 overall grade and was the only offensive lineman in the CFL with an overall mark above 80.0. On 579 pass-blocking snaps, Hardrick surrendered just 17 total pressures. His 2.9% pressure rate was the second-best (to Jarrell Broxton of BC) among tackles, and he was tops in run blocking, having been defeated on just 8.2% of his run-blocking snaps.
I'd say he's doing better than "OK" - he was, legitimately by all metrics that can be measured, the best OL in the CFL in 2025., and the only one that came even close to him was Broxton.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 18, 2025, 06:21:49 PMNeither Randolph or Vanterpool are FA, so they're likely back. Introduce 3 new O-lineman in one season and you're looking at a long learning curve.
TOR (in '22-'24), MTL & SSK built hodgepodge piecemeal OLs including grabbing pieces in FA. All 3 are/were league best.
I don't believe in the "learning curve" thing anymore, assuming you get top-10 talent in FA, plus maybe a couple of talented vets as well as lucky with a DP or ELC. If 4 of your 5 are top-10 and maybe a straggler in top-20, they'll have the talent to pick up the scheme and gel early.
Perfect continuity will buy you some bonus points, especially early, but if the talent isn't there you'll never be a top line. We've proven this to be true.
Time for a different approach.
There is zero cost to throwing away underperforming ELCs that didn't work out. Maybe one stays as PR guy, if none of the newer ELCs look better.
If we keep the line as-is we'll languish just as we did in '25. And one puzzle piece isn't enough. Blow it all up. Only Stan & Neuf are safe. I'm with Brady here.
Quote from: Tecno on November 19, 2025, 01:08:58 AMTOR (in '22-'24), MTL & SSK built hodgepodge piecemeal OLs including grabbing pieces in FA. All 3 are/were league best.
I don't believe in the "learning curve" thing anymore, assuming you get top-10 talent in FA, plus maybe a couple of talented vets as well as lucky with a DP or ELC. If 4 of your 5 are top-10 and maybe a straggler in top-20, they'll have the talent to pick up the scheme and gel early.
Perfect continuity will buy you some bonus points, especially early, but if the talent isn't there you'll never be a top line. We've proven this to be true.
Time for a different approach.
There is zero cost to throwing away underperforming ELCs that didn't work out. Maybe one stays as PR guy, if none of the newer ELCs look better.
If we keep the line as-is we'll languish just as we did in '25. And one puzzle piece isn't enough. Blow it all up. Only Stan & Neuf are safe. I'm with Brady here.
Read on Riderfans how it's starting to make more sense to play American O-lineman as many of the better experienced Natls. are often making $200k+ now, with the top salary going to Ryan Hunter at $275k, which is higher than every receiver not named Kenny Lawler. The difficulty is stocking good Natl talent. in other positions to cover the ratio differential.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 19, 2025, 11:56:10 PMRead on Riderfans how it's starting to make more sense to play American O-lineman as many of the better experienced Natls. are often making $200k+ now, with the top salary going to Ryan Hunter at $275k, which is higher than every receiver not named Kenny Lawler. The difficulty is stocking good Natl talent. in other positions to cover the ratio differential.
Yup, I've come to the same conclusion. SSK started 4 NAT RECs in the GC, and only one would be considered top-10: Emilus. That let them have 4 IMP OL. Which used to be considered quite insane in the CFL.
If you want to be good with the traditional 3 NAT OL you need to basically have 1 top-5 guy (think Desjar), 1 top-10 guy, and another soon-to-be-top-10 ELC NAT guy. As well as league top-10 OTs (especially blind side OT).
Unless you get lucky with an instant top-10 DP every season, it's impossible and unaffordable. You can get top IMP OGs for peanuts compared to top NAT OGs. Like nearly half price. And I bet a great IMP C would be way cheaper than a NAT C.
And the middling NAT RECs you can stock up on are good enough for the timing routes & short game, especially if they are big and can hold (like Ajou).
This all gives you tons of money to spend on D. See: SSK. It's actually a brilliant plan to avoid the worst pitfalls of the CFL roster: overpaid and rare top NAT OL. And it would be even better here in WPG because we have good NATs at SAM & DT (Lawson), as well as the NAT RB & top star Demski.
Canadian offensive lineman are not normally a good idea. I mean a few can play but the majority are long term projects who grade out pretty average even if the development goes exceeding well. Some of the USports lineman that get looks in the CFL wouldn't even start on top high school US teams in any of the big programs. It's bad for football and it's bad for entertainment and does nothing to help with marketing. But you got to play them (and pay them a premium too) because the rules say you do. An example of what is broken to be sure.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on November 20, 2025, 03:09:57 PMCanadian offensive lineman are not normally a good idea. I mean a few can play but the majority are long term projects who grade out pretty average even if the development goes exceeding well. Some of the USports lineman that get looks in the CFL wouldn't even start on top high school US teams in any of the big programs. It's bad for football and it's bad for entertainment and does nothing to help with marketing. But you got to play them (and pay them a premium too) because the rules say you do. An example of what is broken to be sure.
All true. It's a factor of the ratio when many teams can't fill other spots on the roster with top Canadians. Bombers have had the luxury of starting some good Canadians more than the requirement in the ratio.
To that end, if they choose to use another import OL on an ELC it would be beneficial.
It all comes down to get good NAT talent, regardless of their position, so they don't hurt you on the field. A weak DT results in less pressure on the Qb, but doesn't give up the big score because your NAT DB isn't capable of covering. The Riders have a roster full of very good NAT talent-Logan Ferland, A.J.Allen, Sam Emilus, KSB--all legit stars in their own right, let alone Canadian. On our roster, Demski and Brady are legit stars, Kramdi is serviceable, the rest are questionable if they should even be starting.
Quote from: dd on November 20, 2025, 05:33:11 PMIt all comes down to get good NAT talent, regardless of their position, so they don't hurt you on the field. A weak DT results in less pressure on the Qb, but doesn't give up the big score because your NAT DB isn't capable of covering. The Riders have a roster full of very good NAT talent-Logan Ferland, A.J.Allen, Sam Emilus, KSB--all legit stars in their own right, let alone Canadian. On our roster, Demski and Brady are legit stars, Kramdi is serviceable, the rest are questionable if they should even be starting.
Much truth in this. Canadian depth in case you lose a starter is also important.
That said, I'd be OK with letting Brady walk if his ask is too high, and using the money saved to get some top-notch OL and using Peterson (and his inexpensive contract relative to BO) to run the ball in 2026. The $100k+ saved could help buy some top notch OL talent; alternatively, sign and trade Brady for a top-3 OL already under contract. And, much like Augustine, who was totally serviceable for us but not an All-Star, I think being stuck behind Brady is going to limit Peterson's development. Kid needs game time if he's going to be all he can be. Being able to develop behind an 2026 OL that maybe includes the addition of one or more of Couture, Hardrick, Dobson, or Desjarlais, or even Zach Williams or Mark Korte would certainly help him, and Zach, too.
Weird, but OL quality didn't seem to be as much of an issue 10 years ago, on any team. What's going on here? Is the quality of NAT OL DPs going down? Or has the capability of IMP DL's gone up? It certainly appears as if the size/weight of DTs has been rising.
Something is throwing off the balance, and except for the top 2-3 teams (that have the top-3 OL), it's causing major O suckage. Like it did for us.
Maybe it is time for more teams to shift the ratio away from OL into stranger positions, especially on D. It also makes the top-of-the-top NATs like Rourke & Brady way more valuable -- not because they are the best in their position, but because they are "great enough" with the bonus passport.
If we're still high on Wallace (as KW hinted at) then maybe we should really look hard at IMP C -- virtually unheard of in the CFL. Surely there are a ton who couldn't make the NFL and have zero job options? Pick the best one. Problem solved. And when Neuf's time comes, put a top IMP RG in there too.
Quote from: Tecno on November 21, 2025, 06:02:50 AMWeird, but OL quality didn't seem to be as much of an issue 10 years ago, on any team. What's going on here? Is the quality of NAT OL DPs going down? Or has the capability of IMP DL's gone up? It certainly appears as if the size/weight of DTs has been rising.
Something is throwing off the balance, and except for the top 2-3 teams (that have the top-3 OL), it's causing major O suckage. Like it did for us.
Maybe it is time for more teams to shift the ratio away from OL into stranger positions, especially on D. It also makes the top-of-the-top NATs like Rourke & Brady way more valuable -- not because they are the best in their position, but because they are "great enough" with the bonus passport.
If we're still high on Wallace (as KW hinted at) then maybe we should really look hard at IMP C -- virtually unheard of in the CFL. Surely there are a ton who couldn't make the NFL and have zero job options? Pick the best one. Problem solved. And when Neuf's time comes, put a top IMP RG in there too.
Some of it is probably cyclical. There is no defined logic to the number of pro ready offensive lineman Canada produces in a stretch of years. Part of it is that NFL scouting in Canada is better and more thorough than ever. Part of it is that defensive lines are predominately Americans. We know that starting Americans need to be significantly better in just about every way to land on the game day roster (more competition, less roster spots, etc.) so the result is they often win. It's a combination of things.
The other part of it is also your memory. No, every team didn't have quality Canadian offensive lineman 10 years ago. There has always been pretty severe scarcity. That's why we end up with projects that professional football teams really shouldn't take on and hopes and prayers. (Joe Mack trying to convert Tyson Pencer at the pro level, for example). It's always been a stupid flawed system.
For the CFL to truly be more talented we need to find the best prospects no matter where they are from and develop them. Right now we can't do that. Does anyone in Winnipeg really care that Stanley Bryant is American?
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on November 21, 2025, 01:43:02 PMPart of it is that NFL scouting in Canada is better and more thorough than ever.
I had forgotten about that. That might be half the problem right there. Even 1-2 quality guys staying in Canada after Usports would make a huge difference.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on November 21, 2025, 01:43:02 PMThe other part of it is also your memory. No, every team didn't have quality Canadian offensive lineman 10 years ago. There has always been pretty severe scarcity.
I didn't say every team had swathes of good NAT OL. I said that there seemed to be a better balance. It may have been the DLs being weaker. Or maybe more teams were doing 3 IMP OL like we did with Bond for a while.
As for fixes, without blowing up the ratio concept, how about addressing just the OL problem by allowing an extra FAKENAT on OL? Or in other words, start 2 and they count as 3 for the ratio. Yes, that would result in a big drop of salary for some NAT OL.
Blue Bombers have added LB Johnny Hodges (6'2", 240, TCU) According to CFL.ca's transaction page.
Team captain, led his team in tackles 2 out of the last 3 seasons.
https://gofrogs.com/sports/football/roster/johnny-hodges/16301
https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/4686161/johnny-hodges
https://youtu.be/W7dYDnFgYLo?si=hRUIzANoktDBFUnk
Quote from: Tecno on November 22, 2025, 01:19:30 AMI had forgotten about that. That might be half the problem right there. Even 1-2 quality guys staying in Canada after Usports would make a huge difference.
I didn't say every team had swathes of good NAT OL. I said that there seemed to be a better balance. It may have been the DLs being weaker. Or maybe more teams were doing 3 IMP OL like we did with Bond for a while.
As for fixes, without blowing up the ratio concept, how about addressing just the OL problem by allowing an extra FAKENAT on OL? Or in other words, start 2 and they count as 3 for the ratio. Yes, that would result in a big drop of salary for some NAT OL.
Coaches and players talk about the limits placed on practice time (especially padded practices) as having huge impacts on performance and development.
Quote from: Jesse on November 22, 2025, 02:02:45 AMCoaches and players talk about the limits placed on practice time (especially padded practices) as having huge impacts on performance and development.
Ya, whenever I see the practice schedules/times I'm always doing a double-take... like these guys get paid hundreds of thousands and only practice for 1h 17mins or whatever a day? And here I thought these guys would be putting in 7 hours of practice a day -- especially when they are sucking and really need it (see: WPG O in '25).
How does can a DP ELC NAT ever get better? It seems so stupid.
Quote from: Tecno on November 22, 2025, 02:36:43 AMYa, whenever I see the practice schedules/times I'm always doing a double-take... like these guys get paid hundreds of thousands and only practice for 1h 17mins or whatever a day? And here I thought these guys would be putting in 7 hours of practice a day -- especially when they are sucking and really need it (see: WPG O in '25).
How does can a DP ELC NAT ever get better? It seems so stupid.
Have to take it up with the CFLPA, for whatever reason they don't see practice as important, I don't know if they think less practice less injuries, or everybody wants more pay for less work.