Blue Bombers roster - 2023-2024

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Transactions:

2024-02-07   WPG   SCHOEN, Dalton   WR   A   Kansas State   ADD   Game Roster

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BLUE BOMBERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH SAFETY BRANDON ALEXANDER
FEBRUARY 7, 2024

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year extension with veteran safety Brandon Alexander.

Alexander (6-0, 180, Central Florida; born: September 27, 1993 in Orlando, FL) returns in 2024 for his 7th Canadian Football League season – all with the Blue Bombers.

The veteran leader played 17 games last season and finished with 41 defensive tackles and two interceptions. Alexander was named a West Division all-star for the second time in his career in 2023, and has totaled 211 defensive tackles, 20 special teams tackles, eight interceptions and six forced fumbles in 77 career games.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/02/07/blue-bombers-agree-to-terms-with-safety-brandon-alexander/

[Pigskin]

I am wondering if Richmond is using his retirement to try and squeeze starting money out of the Bombers. He is scheduled to make league minimum. However, he has been on our PR for 2 seasons and knows our O well. Maybe a pay bump gets him out of retirement. With that said I like the size of Vanterpool, 6'6' 320 and athletic is good for a RT.

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Transactions:

2024-02-08   WPG   WAGGONER, John   DL   A   Iowa   ADD   Game Roster

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign defensive lineman John Waggoner

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed defensive lineman John Waggoner on Thursday.

John Waggoner is six foot five and weighs 267 pounds. The 24-year-old from Des Moines, Iowa, went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Collegiately, Waggoner played four seasons at Iowa (2019-22) with 65 tackles (31 solo, 34 assists), 11.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and three pass breakups in 41 games for the Hawkeyes.

In his senior season, Waggoner made 34 tackles (16 solo, 18 assists), 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in 13 games. He was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten.

https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2024/02/08/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-defensive-lineman-john-waggoner/

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BLUE BOMBERS ADD DEFENSIVE LINEMAN TO ROSTER
FEBRUARY 9, 2024

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed American defensive lineman John Waggoner.

Waggoner (6–5, 267; Iowa; born: October 27, 1999, in Des Moines, IA) played four seasons at Iowa (2019-22), recording 65 tackles (31 solo, 34 assists), 11.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and three pass breakups in 41 games.

In his senior season, Waggoner made 34 tackles (16 solo, 18 assists), 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in 13 games. He was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/02/09/blue-bombers-add-defensive-end-to-roster/

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Transactions:

2024-02-09   WPG   ALEXANDER, Brandon   DB   A   Central Florida   ADD   Game Roster
2024-02-09   WPG   OLIVEIRA, Brady   RB   N   North Dakota   ADD   Game Roster

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Veteran Winnipeg Blue Bombers DE Jackson Jeffcoat retires from CFL
By 3Down Staff -February 9, 2024

Veteran Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat has retired from professional football, 3DownNation confirmed with his agent on Friday.

Jeffcoat was scheduled to become a free agent on February 13 and received little interest from the Bombers regarding a return to Winnipeg. He has elected to step away from the game rather than try his luck with another franchise.

The 33-year-old played 14 games for the Bombers in 2023, recording 21 defensive tackles, eight sacks and three forced fumbles. However, he continued to be nagged by injuries and ends his CFL career having never played a complete season.

The six-foot-three, 251-pound pass rusher first came to Winnipeg in 2017, playing all 78 of his career CFL games with the club. He amassed 150 total tackles, 38 sacks, 13 forced fumbles and two interceptions, earning a CFL all-star selection in 2021.

Prior to arriving in Canada, Jeffcoat spent parts of three seasons in the NFL, originally signing with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He would join the Washington Commanders later that year and saw action in nine games with the team, collecting nine tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, a forced fumble and an interception. He ended his time in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns.

The native of Dallas, Tex. had an outstanding collegiate career at the University of Texas, racking up 172 total tackles, 50 tackles for loss, 26 sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception in four seasons. He was named a consensus All-American after a 13-sack senior season in 2013, taking home Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honours and the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation's top defensive end.

https://3downnation.com/2024/02/09/veteran-winnipeg-blue-bombers-de-jackson-jeffcoat-retires-from-cfl/

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BLUE BOMBERS ADD OFFENSIVE LINEMAN TO ROSTER
FEBRUARY 11, 2024

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed American offensive lineman Chris Ivy.

Ivy (6-2, 286; Tulsa; born: June 26, 1997, in Wichita, KS) returns to the Blue Bombers after spending part of last season on the club's practice roster. He initially signed with the team in May of 2023, and was released in August.

Ivy started 35 games over three years (2017-19) with the Golden Hurricanes before suiting up for three games with the Tulsa Oilers of the Indoor Football League in 2023.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/02/11/blue-bombers-add-offensive-lineman-to-roster/

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BLUE BOMBERS RE-SIGN SHAYNE GUATHIER
FEBRUARY 12, 2024

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with veteran Canadian linebacker Shayne Gauthier

He was scheduled to become a Canadian Football League free agent tomorrow.

Gauthier (5-10, 234; Laval; born: February 2, 1992, in Dolbeau-Mistassini, Que.) returns to the Blue Bombers for an eighth season in 2024 after originally being selected by the club in the fourth round, 28th overall, in the 2016 CFL Draft.

Gauthier was limited to six games in 2023 due to injury, causing him to miss action for the first time in four seasons. He finished the year with six defensive tackles and three more on special teams before suiting up for both the Western Final and Grey Cup games.

He posted career-best numbers in 2022 as he saw regular work in the defensive rotation and finished with 28 tackles and the first two quarterback sacks of his career.

Gauthier has now dressed for 87 regular-season CFL games, all with the Blue Bombers, and is a two-time Grey Cup champion following victories in 2019 and 2021.

He played his college ball at Laval, registering 130 tackles over four seasons while twice being named a RSEQ All-Star while earning CIS Second-Team All-Canadian honours as a senior.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/02/12/blue-bombers-re-sign-shayne-guathier/

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Transactions:

2024-02-12   WPG   BRIGGS, Jesse   LB   N   McGill   TRF TO RETIRED   Retired
2024-02-12   WPG   GAUTHIER, Shayne   LB   N   Laval   ADD   Game Roster

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FREE AGENCY PREVIEW
ED TAIT

It has become a regular offseason event for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers – the annual square-peg-into-a-round-hole exercise that is keeping a championship calibre team intact under the squeeze of the Canadian Football League's salary cap.

The CFL's free-agent market opens at 11 a.m. on Tuesday and, despite all the handwringing and worry, many – but not all – of the key components that helped guide this team to a fourth straight Grey Cup appearance last November will indeed be wearing blue and gold again in 2024.

Last week was massive for the Blue Bombers, with Brady Oliveira, Dalton Schoen and Brandon Alexander all putting their names on contract extensions rather than hit the market. Meanwhile, negotiations will continue with some right up until the last moment, including veteran Canadian linebacker Shayne Gauthier, who signed a new deal to remain with the club today.

Last week's CFL negotiation window served up tons of drama across the league map, yet many of the deals featuring players leaving for new teams won't be made official until Tuesday.

With that in mind, here's a quick look at where the Blue Bombers currently stand...

BACK ON BOARD
Winnipeg entered the offseason with a long list of 35 players listed as pending free agents. That number shrunk to 34 in early January with Mike Miller's retirement, which was followed by the announcement he would become the new special teams coordinator. On Friday, defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat told The Sun's Paul Friesen he was retiring, taking another name from that list.

Of the remaining 33, 17 have signed back including the following starters:

Defence
DE Willie Jefferson
DTs Jake Thomas (shared the spot with Cam Lawson, who also signed a new deal)
S Brandon Alexander
DB Deatrick Nichols
Dime Redha Kramdi

Offence
RB Brady Oliveira
Rec Dalton Schoen
Rec Drew Wolitarsky
C Chris Kolankowski
G Pat Neufeld
LT Stanley Bryant

Foot Soldiers
Other key players who opted to return rather than head to market:
LB Shayne Gauthier
LB Tanner Cadwallader
DB Nick Hallett
RB Johnny Augustine
LB Brian Cole
DB Noah Hallett (was not listed among the pending free agents as he finished the year on the practice roster)

EXITING
Expected to be officially announced as departures for the Blue Bombers when the market opens on Tuesday:

OL Jermarcus Hardrick (Saskatchewan).
CB Demerio Houston (Calgary)
DT Ricky Walker (Calgary)
DE Jackson Jeffcoat (retired)

Already official

FB Mike Miller (retired)
QB Dru Brown (traded to Ottawa for a fifth-round selection in 2024 CFL Draft)

IN LIMBO
Still unsigned and closer to market:

OL Geoff Gray
Rec Rasheed Bailey
WR/KR Janarion Grant
K Sergio Castillo
LB Malik Clements
LB Jesse Briggs
DE Thiadric Hansen
DB Kerfalla Exumé
CB Winston Rose
RB/Rec Greg McCrae
WR Brendan O'Leary-Orange
QB Dakota Prukop

Updated roster by position:
*indicates Canadian

Quarterback: Zach Collaros
New: Chris Streveler, Eric Barriere, Terry Wilson

Running back/fullback: Brady Oliveira*, Johnny Augustine*, Damian Jackson
New: Jonathan Rosery* (2023 draft pick), Ronnie Brown, Chris Smith

Receiver: Kenny Lawler, Dalton Schoen, Nic Demski*, Drew Wolitarsky*, Jeremy Murphy*, Ravi Alston
New: Tyler Adams, Peter Afful, Braxton Burmeister, Kody Case, Aron Cruickshank, Oliver Martin, Bryce Mitchell, Keytaon Thompson, Keric Wheatfall, Ontaria Wilson

Offensive line: Stanley Bryant, Pat Neufeld*, Chris Kolankowski*, Liam Dobson*, Tui Eli*, Chris Ivy (spent time on practice roster last year)
New: Michah Vanterpool

Defensive line: Willie Jefferson, Jake Thomas*, Cam Lawson*, Celestin Haba, Anthony Bennett*, Tanner Schmekel*, TyJuan Garbutt, Nate Givhan, Miles Fox
New: Ali Fayad, Collin Kornelson* (2023 draft pick), John Waggoner, Jamal Woods, Jordan Lewis

Linebackers: Adam Bighill, Kyrie Wilson, Brian Cole, Shayne Gauthier*, Tanner Cadwallader*,  Jared Beeksma*
New: Michael Ayers, Max Charbonneau* (2023 draft pick)

Defensive backs: Brandon Alexander, Evan Holm, Deatrick Nichols, Redha Kramdi*, Jamal Parker, Nick Hallett*, Jake Kelly*, Tyrique McGhee, Noah Hallett*, Souleymane Karamoko
New: Bret MacDougal* (2023 draft pick). Anthony Blue, Marquise Bridges, Travon Fuller, Marcus Hillman, Nico McCarthy*, Raleigh Texada

Specialists: P Jamieson Sheahan; LS Mike Benson
New: K Jose Borregales; returner Aron Cruickshank

https://forums.bluebombers.com/index.php?topic=55478.60

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Ed Tait  @EdTaitWFC
Jesse Briggs has filed his retirement papers with the @Wpg_BlueBombers. Was scheduled to go to the CFL free agent market today

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Transactions:

2024-02-13   WPG   MCCRAE, Greg   RB   A   Central Florida   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   CLEMENTS, Malik   LB   A   Cincinnati   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   HOUSTON, Demerio   DB   A   Southern   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   O'LEARY-ORANGE, Brendon   WR   N   Nevada   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   CASTILLO, Sergio   K   A   West Texas A&M   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   DARBY, Alden   LB   A   Arizona State   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   BAILEY, Rasheed   WR   A   Delaware Valley   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   BRIGGS, Jesse   LB   N   McGill   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   GRANT, Janarion   WR   A   Rutgers   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   JEFFCOAT, Jackson   DL   A   Texas   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   MILLER, Mike   RB   N   Acadia   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   HARDRICK, Jermarcus   OL   A   Nebraska   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   ROSE, Winston   DB   A   New Mexico State   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   HANSEN, Thiadric   DL   G   Potsdam Royals   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   WALKER, Ricky   DL   A   Virginia Tech   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   GRAY, Geoff   OL   N   Manitoba   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   EXUME, Kerfalla-Emmanuel   DB   N   Montreal   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   PRUKOP, Dakota   QB   A   Oregon   DEL   
2024-02-13   WPG   ALLEN, Will   DB   A   Columbia   DEL   League Suspension
2024-02-13   WPG   GOODSON, O'Bryan   DL   A   Memphis   DEL   League Suspension
2024-02-13   WPG   HACKETT, Tom   P   G   Utah   DEL   League Suspension
2024-02-13   WPG   RICHMOND, Drew   OL   A   USC   DEL   Free Agent

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A TEAM-BY-TEAM LOOK AT 2024 CFL FREE AGENCY
FEBRUARY 13, 2024

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Additions/Re-Signings:

PLAYER    POSITION    TRANSACTION    FORMER TEAM
*The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were inactive on Tuesday
Eric Lofton   OL   Signed 02/16/24   SSK

Departures:

PLAYER    POSITION    TRANSACTION    NEW TEAM
Dakota Prukop    QB    Signed 02/13/24    BC
Jermarcus Hardrick    OL    Signed 02/13/24    SSK
Demerio Houston    DB    Signed 02/13/24    CGY
Kerfalla Exumé    DB    Signed 02/13/24    TOR
Malik Clements    LB    Signed 02/14/24    TOR

https://www.cfl.ca/2024/02/13/a-team-by-team-look-at-free-agency-2/