According to 3DownNation:
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed Global linebacker Ayo Oyelola, the team announced on Monday.
The six-foot, 223-pound defender was a third-round pick in the 2021 CFL Global Draft out of the University of Nottingham. He spent the 2021 season in Winnipeg and dressed for one regular-season game.
The 27-year-old native of Dagenham, East London has stints had stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers as part of the league's International Player Pathway (IPP) initiative. He had long practice roster stints with both teams but did not dress for any regular-season games.
Oyelola was most recently under contract with the Alpine Rams of American Football League Europe (AFLE).
The Blue Bombers have also signed American linebacker Dylan Hazen.
The six-foot, 224-pound defender spent his entire collegiate career at Wake Forest University, where he was a three-year starter. He made 284 total tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, five pass knockdowns, three fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions over 54 games. Hazen was named All-ACC honourable mention in 2025.
Blue Bombers Transactions - June 8, 2026
WINNIPEG, MB., June 8, 2026 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the following transactions.
Added to practice roster:
Global linebacker Ayo Oyelola (6-0, 223, Nottingham)
American linebacker Dylan Hazen (6-1, 240, Wake Forest)
Good depth, too bad Clinton wouldn't come back :-\
Quote from: Blueforlife on June 08, 2026, 04:47:16 PMGood depth, too bad Clinton wouldn't come back :-\
We may never know whether he was offered or declined something. Our expectation is that we have an open spot on the AR due to an injury to Woodbey. If an offer was made and it was only for the PR, which may have been offered earlier, then the reason for declining wouldn't change.
Rookies that look good in TC are often released and never seen again in the CFL.
Whatever the reason we brought in a new import LB. On paper Hazen sounds like a play maker.
Quote from: Blueforlife on June 08, 2026, 04:47:16 PMGood depth, too bad Clinton wouldn't come back :-\
He'd still be on the PR, so they may not have bothered to contact him. Seems more players turning down PR assignment, wonder if it's the pay or individual circumstance? It's hard to track these Imports once they leave, the vast majority don't appear in football again, maybe the CFL is is their last gamble on a football career.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 08, 2026, 05:29:06 PMHe'd still be on the PR, so they may not have bothered to contact him. Seems more players turning down PR assignment, wonder if it's the pay or individual circumstance? It's hard to track these Imports once they leave, the vast majority don't appear in football again, maybe the CFL is is their last gamble on a football career.
PR not enough cake, yes CFL is often end of the line
Hazen is very quick to the ball. 4.58/40, bench 225/26 reps. Very solid tackling.
Quote from: Pigskin on June 08, 2026, 07:25:10 PMHazen is very quick to the ball. 4.58/40, bench 225/26 reps. Very solid tackling.
Awesome news, if we can develop these latest finds, we will turn into an LB factory :)
I noticed that Brody Clark and Jaylen Smith were both on the injury reports as well. I'm guessing that first dibs would go to Charles-Eliot Bouliane?
CFL.ca's injury reports shows Smith as a full participant today.
https://www.cfl.ca/2026/06/07/cfl-injury-reports-week-2-2/
Fingers crossed he can play on Thursday.
Quote from: bomberjunkie on June 09, 2026, 01:37:52 PMI noticed that Brody Clark and Jaylen Smith were both on the injury reports as well. I'm guessing that first dibs would go to Charles-Eliot Bouliane?
Who? What? Why?
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 09, 2026, 04:55:55 PMWho? What? Why?
Rookie Canadian LB. Guess if Clark is out then maybe, but think I'd rather see Kornelson brought up instead (albeit completely different positions)
Quote from: VictorRomano on June 08, 2026, 03:31:06 PMAccording to 3DownNation:
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed Global linebacker Ayo Oyelola, the team announced on Monday.
The six-foot, 223-pound defender was a third-round pick in the 2021 CFL Global Draft out of the University of Nottingham. He spent the 2021 season in Winnipeg and dressed for one regular-season game.
The 27-year-old native of Dagenham, East London has stints had stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers as part of the league's International Player Pathway (IPP) initiative. He had long practice roster stints with both teams but did not dress for any regular-season games.
Oyelola was most recently under contract with the Alpine Rams of American Football League Europe (AFLE).
The Blue Bombers have also signed American linebacker Dylan Hazen.
The six-foot, 224-pound defender spent his entire collegiate career at Wake Forest University, where he was a three-year starter. He made 284 total tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, five pass knockdowns, three fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions over 54 games. Hazen was named All-ACC honourable mention in 2025.
Basically its a tryout camp for these two players until Woodbey is back and then one will be gone.
Quote from: Pigskin on June 09, 2026, 05:27:41 PMBasically its a tryout camp for these two players until Woodbey is back and then one will be gone.
They need to have 2 Global players on the roster so likely Oyelola has a job for the season, Hazen might find a spot on the PR as they are short backups for Import LBs.
The Bombers add 2LBs, and they say a camera adds 10lbs...
I'll see myself out...
Where are you guys getting that Clinton was even thought about or contacted?
The glob sounds like he'd be ready to fit in pretty quickly. Hazen on the other hand, that's no different from the guys brought into rookie camp. That's not really what we'd be hoping for now.
So all the tc lbs were useless or uninterested??
Quote from: Tecno on June 09, 2026, 06:07:05 PMWhere are you guys getting that Clinton was even thought about or contacted?
The glob sounds like he'd be ready to fit in pretty quickly. Hazen on the other hand, that's no different from the guys brought into rookie camp. That's not really what we'd be hoping for now.
So all the tc lbs were useless or uninterested??
Binko, I think a full judicial inquiry should be conducted to see why so many players are turning down PR spots, Ed Tait needs to get on it. It really screws up the plans when they can't keep the recruits they want to develop around. Wonder if the same trend is happening around the league? I take it the PR is a part of the SMS and has strict budgetary constraints thanks to Chris Jones and the Edmonton Eskimos previous legacy of cheating.
Quote from: theaardvark on June 09, 2026, 05:56:54 PMThe Bombers add 2LBs, and they say a camera adds 10lbs...
I'll see myself out...
Yes, that was terrible.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 09, 2026, 07:33:43 PMBinko, I think a full judicial inquiry should be conducted to see why so many players are turning down PR spots, Ed Tait needs to get on it. It really screws up the plans when they can't keep the recruits they want to develop around.
LOL, Ya ok. But this isn't week 12 where guys moved on with their lives. This happened like 7 days from final cut-down day!! Most dudes don't get a new career setup that fast.
And I can see like a couple dudes being like "nah"... but all of them? Usually nearly every rookie is super eager to get on the team, even if it is 7 days late.
As for PR vs AR... I'm sure nearly every rookie in TC knows or is told the chances of going from TC straight to starting is 0.01%. And even getting on the PR is quite the coup. Since they all played HS and college ball, they know they are only 1-2 injuries away from taking active snaps -- as is the case here! Clinton would probably be on AR this very moment had they called him and he said "yes".
Maybe in today's world athletes are getting more accepting of their limitations. If they come to camp, give it their best, and just can't cut it, why hang around on a PR getting paid a pittance and probably not ever making an AR?
Its not like every PR player graduates to the AR each year. Very few do. If they had the talent, they'd be on the AR already. If they are behind star players on the AR, short of injury, they aren't getting promoted, and might look for a PR with a better chance of "graduating".
Some positions do need the seasoning a PR gives to learn the CFL game, and players with the ability and patience see the PR as a viable choice. Especially if the alternative is mowing lawns or flipping burgers.
But for most TC cuts, they took their shot and moved on.
Quote from: Tecno on June 09, 2026, 10:12:23 PMLOL, Ya ok. But this isn't week 12 where guys moved on with their lives. This happened like 7 days from final cut-down day!! Most dudes don't get a new career setup that fast.
And I can see like a couple dudes being like "nah"... but all of them? Usually nearly every rookie is super eager to get on the team, even if it is 7 days late.
As for PR vs AR... I'm sure nearly every rookie in TC knows or is told the chances of going from TC straight to starting is 0.01%. And even getting on the PR is quite the coup. Since they all played HS and college ball, they know they are only 1-2 injuries away from taking active snaps -- as is the case here! Clinton would probably be on AR this very moment had they called him and he said "yes".
They must be guided by their agents to some extent or personal relationaships, many of these guys would know nothing else but how to play football. I don't think the UFL offers competitive wages to the CFL so that probably isn't a draw. Once they pass up the CFL the NFL is unlikely to ever give them another chance.
What's the logical fallacy where you make an argument off of a false premise?
Why do guys think a bunch of people are suddenly refusing PR spots? First of all, it's not happening (we had 3 guys refuse spots and 2 of those were to go to another team). Second, certain people will always refuse the PR. Americans can't afford to be here and for many it's simply trying it out and then moving on with their lives. We have guys who show up for a day and then decide to go home. A few more each year who sign a contract but never come at all.
Absolutely nothing has changed in that regard.
I'm sure the agents know the deal and the players talk amongst themselves. I bet the team might even give them a package explaining how many / odds of making the team.
You can just look at the historical record -- even just taking the current Bombers.
If you explain to them that some positions need PR seasoning, and "next man up" is very important here in Bomberland, I'm sure more would accept it. As well as the MOS "earn your spot through hard work & time" philosophy.
The depth chart just came out and it does look like in fact Charles-Elliott Bouliane is covering for Jaylen Smith as a fellow national. De'Shaan Dixon and Jaiden Woodbey on the 6-game which really sucks. Woodbey was listed as having a calf injury and I can only hope that it is that and not season ending ligament or achilles damage.
It also looks like instead of replacing Woodbey, the team opted to field D-Lineman Michael Fletcher and David Reese.
https://3downnation.com/2026/06/10/nic-demski-good-to-go-for-winnipeg-blue-bombers-against-hamilton/
Quote from: bomberjunkie on June 10, 2026, 04:05:22 PMThe depth chart just came out and it does look like in fact Charles-Elliott Bouliane is covering for Jaylen Smith as a fellow national. De'Shaan Dixon and Jaiden Woodbey on the 6-game which really sucks. Woodbey was listed as having a calf injury and I can only hope that it is that and not season ending ligament or achilles damage.
It also looks like instead of replacing Woodbey, the team opted to field D-Lineman Michael Fletcher and David Reese.
https://3downnation.com/2026/06/10/nic-demski-good-to-go-for-winnipeg-blue-bombers-against-hamilton/
I mean down an LB, it is nice that we will have the guys to actually line up at DE or DT. Keeps Jones and Wilson from having to do too much as blitzers or sub-package DE's
Quote from: bomberjunkie on June 10, 2026, 04:05:22 PMThe depth chart just came out and it does look like in fact Charles-Elliott Bouliane is covering for Jaylen Smith as a fellow national. De'Shaan Dixon and Jaiden Woodbey on the 6-game which really sucks. Woodbey was listed as having a calf injury and I can only hope that it is that and not season ending ligament or achilles damage.
It also looks like instead of replacing Woodbey, the team opted to field D-Lineman Michael Fletcher and David Reese.
https://3downnation.com/2026/06/10/nic-demski-good-to-go-for-winnipeg-blue-bombers-against-hamilton/
Interesting, Bouliane will fill in on ST in place of Smith but most likely going to see a lot more of Jake Kelly in the secondary, despite what most fans think he must have graded out positively with some hope of improvement. Re-watched game #1 and saw Ayers played a lot of snaps so I guess he's going in directly for Woodbey at WIL, sharing the role with Kyrie and Tony Jones.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 10, 2026, 04:14:42 PMInteresting, Bouliane will fill in on ST in place of Smith but most likely going to see a lot more of Jake Kelly in the secondary, despite what most fans think he must have graded out positively with some hope of improvement. Re-watched game #1 and saw Ayers played a lot of snaps so I guess he's going in directly for Woodbey at WIL, sharing the role with Kyrie and Tony Jones.
Jake Kelly on defence scares me. Not only in the reps he plays but what happens if we have an injury in the secondary this week?
Quote from: Blue In BC on June 10, 2026, 04:38:05 PMJake Kelly on defence scares me. Not only in the reps he plays but what happens if we have an injury in the secondary this week?
yeah no Kelly should not be on defense whatsoever
Quote from: kkc60 on June 10, 2026, 04:39:42 PMyeah no Kelly should not be on defense whatsoever
It's not like Kelly gets left in the dust, he's always right there but fails to make the tackle or the knock down. He reminds me of Evan Holm in his first year in that his method of tackling was to wrap the ball carrier up high and hold on till help arrived. Holm has become one of the best tacklers on the team since then.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 10, 2026, 05:56:08 PMIt's not like Kelly gets left in the dust, he's always right there but fails to make the tackle or the knock down.
Fair. But we've seen quite a few DBs come and go who are "there" but can't do anything about anything. Didn't Roc used to do that? I remember thinking he was progressing a bit because he was finally "there".
There isn't good enough.
Quote from: Blue In BC on June 10, 2026, 04:38:05 PMJake Kelly on defence scares me.
It was clear all last season, and very clear in game 1, that good O's cue on Kelly coming in and isolate him and chuck his way. And it's a massive completion every time. In fact, I cannot remember any single time Kelly stopped anything. Ever. Not once.
Ok, maybe he can tackle once they have the 50Y completion (maybe!), but he can't break anything up.
The only way you can turn this into something good is if you use Kelly to bait a QB into going for a huge bomb when you have 2 guys coming in to help Kelly before the ball arrives... basically have the other DBs cheating to Kelly's assignment because everyone knows they aren't throwing to anyone else.
Maybe he'll get better, maybe even this season. But until then he'll cost us at least 1 explosion a game, and probably a TD. Is it worth it? The Hurl of DBs. MOS must really like this guy for some reason.