Bombers add WR Gerald Monroe, #1 NAIA WR

VictorRomano · December 18, 2025, 01:38:04 PM

As indicated on the CFL Transaction page.

https://www.gujackets.com/sports/fball/2024-25/bios/monroe_gerald_lo9b

#1 WR in the NAIA.

5'10, 185#, but his senior year stats jump out: 1562 yards and 22 TD's in 10 games in 2025. 156.2 yards per game in 2025, with 18.6 YPC.

Oh, and his 1st game of 2025, against Doane, he had 16 catches for 387yds and 5 TDs.

Highlight reels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuiUXPhKOYo
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14657633/6376a452bee08408bc02bc24
https://www.tiktok.com/@touchbackjt/video/7353780372448202030

Sir Blue and Gold · December 18, 2025, 01:47:17 PM

Isn't top end NAIA basically on par with NCAA Div 2? Sounds like a good prospect all the same but seems to have a build and play style like Kody Case.

Jesse · December 18, 2025, 02:59:54 PM

I do like those highlights though. Gotta look all over to find pieces for the offence.

Blue In BC · December 18, 2025, 05:32:45 PM

All things considered, he might be the PR player that backs up Sterns. Same size and characteristics IMO. In some sense that was where Case might have fit in but as a potential free agent I don't expect him back.

Even if we lose Vaval to the NFL then we probably bring back Logan to compete in TC.

Throw Long Bannatyne · December 18, 2025, 06:31:40 PM

Quote from: Blue In BC on December 18, 2025, 05:32:45 PMAll things considered, he might be the PR player that backs up Sterns. Same size and characteristics IMO. In some sense that was where Case might have fit in but as a potential free agent I don't expect him back.

Even if we lose Vaval to the NFL then we probably bring back Logan to compete in TC.

Logan was signed to a 2 year contract last off-season, so they're not done with him yet. Hopefully he's able to show what he can do in TC as he was an electric performer in Calgary. They'll need a backup to Vaval regardless and they probably shouldn't count on a rookie stepping into that role, If Vaval attends TC Logan may end up spending time on the PR this season waiting for his opportunity to perform, he may have no other options considering Walter Fletcher remains unsigned..

LXTSN · December 18, 2025, 06:46:20 PM

Wow. Nice to see them locking down some talent early!
His size doesn't concern me. 150 yards per game is unreal at any level!
He's someone I'm sure we'll all look out for in training camp and preseason

Blueforlife · December 18, 2025, 08:08:56 PM

Got the stats, can he adapt to our game, looks good but they always do on paper

Blue In BC · December 18, 2025, 09:14:04 PM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 18, 2025, 06:31:40 PMLogan was signed to a 2 year contract last off-season, so they're not done with him yet. Hopefully he's able to show what he can do in TC as he was an electric performer in Calgary. They'll need a backup to Vaval regardless and they probably shouldn't count on a rookie stepping into that role, If Vaval attends TC Logan may end up spending time on the PR this season waiting for his opportunity to perform, he may have no other options considering Walter Fletcher remains unsigned..

I know but there are always potential returners getting looked at during TC if we lose Vaval. There is also the idea now whether a newer candidate is a better option as a DB or receiver on an ELC. IMO it's 50/50 on whether Logan sticks, particularly if we retain Vaval. Don't want to see Logan sit on the 1 game IR waiting for an injury. It's better to have a player on PR unless there is nobody close to what Logan could bring.

Vaval might have taken a step forward as an in game replacement if there was an injury eliminating the need for an extra DB as a DI. It's not the worst idea to have that situation but it might allow another DI on offence.

If Vaval is lost to the NFL for 1/2 a season or longer then Logan becomes a front runner.

Blue In BC · December 18, 2025, 09:18:41 PM

Quote from: LXTSN on December 18, 2025, 06:46:20 PMWow. Nice to see them locking down some talent early!
His size doesn't concern me. 150 yards per game is unreal at any level!
He's someone I'm sure we'll all look out for in training camp and preseason

It's not the size entirely but how / where a receiver fits in. He's not the burner or the 50/50 type receiver, so he has to be the 2nd down conversion type which I see as a Sterns type. That's not a bad thing.

Schoen was 3" taller but may not be healthy and re-signed. So we need to be looking for some taller receivers as well. Both Schoen and Wheatfall are 6'1". I'd expect some bigger receivers in TC as depth at the worst. No certainty with injury history and potential free agency.

ModAdmin · Reply #9 - Re: Bombers add WR Gerald Monroe, #1 NAIA WR

He clearly has some ability to catch the ball when well covered and to get open. Hope he gets a reasonable opportunity in training camp.

LXTSN · Reply #10 - Re: Bombers add WR Gerald Monroe, #1 NAIA WR

Quote from: Blue In BC on December 18, 2025, 09:14:04 PMI know but there are always potential returners getting looked at during TC if we lose Vaval. There is also the idea now whether a newer candidate is a better option as a DB or receiver on an ELC. IMO it's 50/50 on whether Logan sticks, particularly if we retain Vaval. Don't want to see Logan sit on the 1 game IR waiting for an injury. It's better to have a player on PR unless there is nobody close to what Logan could bring.

Vaval might have taken a step forward as an in game replacement if there was an injury eliminating the need for an extra DB as a DI. It's not the worst idea to have that situation but it might allow another DI on offence.

If Vaval is lost to the NFL for 1/2 a season or longer then Logan becomes a front runner.

I can't see us losing Vaval. I love the guy, but as a DB, he isn't very good. He stands out as a VERY good returner in the CFL, but that's never worked out in the NFL has it? Maybe Thigpen?
They don't return a lot of kicks or punts down there. They don't really have a dedicated kick returner anymore. It's always a WR or RB on the roster.

Blue In BC · Reply #11 - Re: Bombers add WR Gerald Monroe, #1 NAIA WR

Quote from: LXTSN on Today at 03:29:36 PMI can't see us losing Vaval. I love the guy, but as a DB, he isn't very good. He stands out as a VERY good returner in the CFL, but that's never worked out in the NFL has it? Maybe Thigpen?
They don't return a lot of kicks or punts down there. They don't really have a dedicated kick returner anymore. It's always a WR or RB on the roster.

Lots of players will get TC offers as TCF and will take it for the opportunity of a big payday. Sticking is another issue but could cost us part of the season before we see him back.

Vaval isn't a starting DB yet but he might improve in his 2nd year if he attends TC.

Throw Long Bannatyne · Reply #12 - Re: Bombers add WR Gerald Monroe, #1 NAIA WR

Quote from: LXTSN on Today at 03:29:36 PMI can't see us losing Vaval. I love the guy, but as a DB, he isn't very good. He stands out as a VERY good returner in the CFL, but that's never worked out in the NFL has it? Maybe Thigpen?
They don't return a lot of kicks or punts down there. They don't really have a dedicated kick returner anymore. It's always a WR or RB on the roster.

I thought Vaval looked pretty good at CB in the games he played considering how raw he was when thrown in, like Holm he's able to cover a lot of ground with good closing speed. He did get burned a few times and received a few bad PI calls, but that happens to every CB.

Seems pretty unlikely the Bombers use him in the secondary after the season he had as a returner, other than in emergencies. I don't have great confidence his return style is sustainable, he runs fearlessly through high traffic areas, some ST assasin trying to establish himself is going to try to put him in the hospital.