Blue Bombers add five to roster - May 8, 2023

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers add five to roster - May 8, 2023

WINNIPEG, MB., May 8, 2023 - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce signing of four American players in quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome, receivers Otis Lanier and Matt Cole and defensive end/long-snapper Damian Jackson, as well as National receiver Michael O'Shea.

Pigrome (5-10, 200; Towson State; born: October 22, 1997, in Birmingham, AL.) comes to the Blue Bombers after a collegiate career spent at the University of Maryland (2016-19), Western Kentucky University (2020) and most recently with Towson State (2022). He spent the 2021 season at Ole Miss but did not play. Pigrome threw for 1,638 yards and 14 touchdowns with the Tigers last year, rushing for an additional 574 yards and two more TDs. He was the 2015 Gatorade High School Player of the Year in Alabama while at Clay-Chalkville High.

Lanier (5-10, 185; Howard Payne University; born: October 7, 1997, in Houston, Tex.) spent the last two seasons with the Yellow Jackets. Last year he had 66 receptions for 955 yards and 11 touchdowns, leading the American Southwest Conference in receiving yards, receptions per game and all-purpose yards. He also nine punt returns for 166 yards and one TD and was a First Team All-ASC selection. He had 46 receptions for 807 yards and nine TDs in 2021.

Cole (5-10, 197; McKendree University; born: November 7, 1996, in Chicago, IL.) arrives in Winnipeg after spending last year on the practice roster of the Washington Commanders. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins in 2020, he would later make his NFL debut later that season after being picked up by the San Francisco 49ers, making two tackles on special teams. Cole has also had stints with the New York Jets and Giants, the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks

Jackson (6-2, 263; University of Buffalo; born July 22, 1992, in Las Vegas, NV) appeared in 13 games last year for the Bulls, including making nine starts at defensive end while handling the long-snapping chores. He had 27 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery. He transferred from Nebraska, where he spent five seasons after initially walking on with the Cornhuskers. He was a member of the Navy SEALS for four years and was the 2021-Armed Forces Merit Award Winner.

O'Shea (6-0, 183; Okanagan Sun; born: March 9, 2000 in Mississauga, ON) joins the Blue Bombers after two solid years with the Sun in the British Columbia Football Conference, including helping lead the squad to a 21-19 win over the Regina Thunder in the national championship last fall - a game in which he caught a touchdown pass and also had seven returns for 108 yards, earning him the Special Teams Player of the Game award. O'Shea had 28 receptions for 483 yards and eight touchdowns last season, adding another seven catches for 164 yards and a TD in the playoffs. In his first year with Okanagan, he had 27 catches for 654 yards and 11 TDs. He is also an exceptional kick returner, having taken five punt returns back for touchdowns in his two years with the Sun while averaging 25.9 yards per kickoff return last season. Those numbers earned him a spot on the Canadian Junior Football League First-Team All-Canadian squad. In 2021 he was a CJFL First-Team All-Canadian as a receiver. He is the son of Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea.

[DM83]

Great for the O'Shea family.
Very exciting

[GOLDMEMBER]

OSH Jr has interesting stats. Pretty young though to right!
Maybe someone can educate me on the ins and outs with players coming out of Junior ball..

[BLUEBOMBER]

The O'Shea legacy continues in Winnipeg!!

[Horseman]

Sounds like nepotism to me, the kid is a junior player, hasn't even played CIS football?!?! There is a BIG difference between junior and CIS (speaking from experience). If the young O'Shea has some good stats from the CIS at least, I could understand this, but he wasn't even taken as a territorial exemption by the Lions. It doesn't pass the smell test.

[Pigskin]

Sounds like nepotism to me, the kid is a junior player, hasn't even played CIS football?!?! There is a BIG difference between junior and CIS (speaking from experience). If the young O'Shea has some good stats from the CIS at least, I could understand this, but he wasn't even taken as a territorial exemption by the Lions. It doesn't pass the smell test.

AH33 didn't play CIS. BC took a chance on him and he has had a pretty amazing career. Let's not write him off until at least Friday.

[TecnoGenius]

Sounds like nepotism to me

It could just be let's get this kid a look at how the WFC works with no expectation of sticking around.  Yes, it's only happening because he's MOS's son, but this happens in every industry.  He's one of over 100 guys who'll come in take a peek and then go.  I don't see any harm.

Keep in mind this might not be MOS's "fault", it could be KW doing him a solid without his knowledge.

Now, if he signs to the AR and takes Bailey's position in week 1, then we may have a problem!!

[ModAdmin]

Having watched this coaching staff and management, I would be shocked if Michael O'Shea Jr. received special treatment.  It would send a message completely opposed to the values this team has in selecting a "team".  In fact, there will likely be more pressure on this young man to make it out of camp.

[gobombersgo]

Sounds like nepotism to me, the kid is a junior player, hasn't even played CIS football?!?! There is a BIG difference between junior and CIS (speaking from experience). If the young O'Shea has some good stats from the CIS at least, I could understand this, but he wasn't even taken as a territorial exemption by the Lions. It doesn't pass the smell test.

He wasn't eligible to be a territorial exemption because he was with the University of Guelph before heading to the Okanagan.

[M.O.A.B.]

The Walk-On: Damian Jackson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUupVOMHs0c

[DM83]

O'Shea = nepotism. period.
But hey Pop does the kid a favour.

[M.O.A.B.]

O'Shea = nepotism. period.
But hey Pop does the kid a favour.

It's still a tryout just an opportunity. Jr hasn't made the team yet. So it's not a paying job a this point.
MOS is a high-character team-first guy and I dont think he will let something like this ruin his reputation and coaching career.
If Jr don't deserve it, I dont think MOS will stick his nose to Walters to keep his son with the team.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

OSH Jr has interesting stats. Pretty young though to right!
Maybe someone can educate me on the ins and outs with players coming out of Junior ball..

I don't know the specific rules, but I've read that he will be a "non-counter" in TC coming straight from JR. ball, thus earning him the right to wear a number below zero.....I think that's how it works.

[Waffler]

I recall when Bud Riley was the coach here and an undersized kid from Alabama was trying out for DB. He was kept for the entire camp so he could see how things are run, he was never going to make the club but also did not embarrass himself. The kid was Mike Riley, son of Bud. That turned out ok for this team when he came back to coach us to the championship. Possibly the younger O'Shea also plans a career in football. I see no harm in having him here to soak up what he can.

[DM83]

Yup, it can't hurt either party.
I hope they let him run back kicks.  I wonder if the leap between Junior and the CFL would be too much?
That's why I want to see his 40 time.

Is he Paul Bennett quick or not in that atmosphere.?
Somebody get his 40!! Please and Thanks!