Blue Bombers roster - 2023-2024

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Canadian DB Tyrell Ford returns to Winnipeg Blue Bombers
By Justin Dunk -February 14, 2024

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have brought back Canadian defensive back Tyrell Ford following a stint in the NFL.

The 25-year-old signed with the Green Bay Packers in January 2023 after working out for six NFL teams, though he was waived at the conclusion of training camp. He remained a free agent for the rest of the 2023 season with the hope of garnering another NFL opportunity but went unsigned.

Ford was selected by the Blue Bombers with a second-round pick in the 2022 CFL Draft out of the University of Waterloo. He recorded three defensive tackles, three knockdowns, and 10 special teams tackles over 18 regular season games as a rookie, making one start at field-side cornerback. He was released from his three-year contract in order to sign with the Packers but has now returned under the final year of his rookie deal.

The five-foot-eleven, 188-pound cover man was a standout at the University at Buffalo pro day in March 2022, recording a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, 36.5-inch vertical, 126-inch broad jump, and 17 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. He also attended the CFL Combine where he ran a 4.42-second forty-yard dash, 7.03-second three-cone drill, and 4.27-second shuttle.

The native of Niagara Falls, Ont. was a three-time OUA all-star and two-time second-team All-Canadian while playing for the Waterloo Warriors in U Sports. He made 72 defensive tackles, six interceptions, and 20 knockdowns over the course of his career along with 1,872 return yards and three punt return touchdowns.

The Blue Bombers will open the 2024 regular season by hosting the Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday, June 6.

https://3downnation.com/2024/02/14/canadian-db-tyrell-ford-returns-to-winnipeg-blue-bombers/

[Jesse]

Canadian DB Tyrell Ford returns to Winnipeg Blue Bombers
By Justin Dunk -February 14, 2024

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have brought back Canadian defensive back Tyrell Ford following a stint in the NFL.

The 25-year-old signed with the Green Bay Packers in January 2023 after working out for six NFL teams, though he was waived at the conclusion of training camp. He remained a free agent for the rest of the 2023 season with the hope of garnering another NFL opportunity but went unsigned.

Ford was selected by the Blue Bombers with a second-round pick in the 2022 CFL Draft out of the University of Waterloo. He recorded three defensive tackles, three knockdowns, and 10 special teams tackles over 18 regular season games as a rookie, making one start at field-side cornerback. He was released from his three-year contract in order to sign with the Packers but has now returned under the final year of his rookie deal.

The five-foot-eleven, 188-pound cover man was a standout at the University at Buffalo pro day in March 2022, recording a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, 36.5-inch vertical, 126-inch broad jump, and 17 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. He also attended the CFL Combine where he ran a 4.42-second forty-yard dash, 7.03-second three-cone drill, and 4.27-second shuttle.

The native of Niagara Falls, Ont. was a three-time OUA all-star and two-time second-team All-Canadian while playing for the Waterloo Warriors in U Sports. He made 72 defensive tackles, six interceptions, and 20 knockdowns over the course of his career along with 1,872 return yards and three punt return touchdowns.

The Blue Bombers will open the 2024 regular season by hosting the Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday, June 6.

https://3downnation.com/2024/02/14/canadian-db-tyrell-ford-returns-to-winnipeg-blue-bombers/

It's a shame he wasted all of last season, but good to see him back!

[KINGCHARLES]

I'm actually kind of excited to see what Ford can do at corner. I think the early word on the street is the Canadian Mafia believes he can be a starting CB.
If i recall he started the final regular season game against BC in 2022 and basically locked down Rhymes or Hatcher. I believe there was no TD's scored on him and i think he had a knockdown or 2. Didn't allow a ton of yards either. To then get an NFL opportunity in which he wasn't cut till the end of August much speak volumes at to what other people see in him, the potential in him. I believe he had multiple NFL workouts as well.
Lets see how much more improved he is after a tiny NFL experiment. I'm sure being 25 years old and turning 26 next month and on his rookie deal still with that kind of taste in his mouth is going to motivate him to try and get another shot.
Random early prediction is he's going to impress all of us.

[KINGCHARLES]

While we had to know roster change was inevitable, we have to brace for more change within the next 1-3 seasons. There will come a time that Bryant, Bighill (I feel like Bighill will be going into coaching when done) and Jefferson retire. Collaros as well. Salary cap went up another 75,000 this year and will go up 100k/year for the next 3 seasons. Plus starting this year player will earn 25% of profit sharing too (not sure what that will even equate too). Next off-season the Bombers may be forced to decide between Lawler and Schoen. After the 2025 season Brady will probably be demanding and getting 300k/yr from the Bombers. Demski will be 32in the 2025 off season when his contract expires. I imagine he's going to be a guy that goes year by year at 32 or signs a final 2 yr deal (star WR's in the CFL don't typically play much past their mid 30's).
We are currently in a window of time that the Bombers need to keep winning to establish fear and dominance on the league. To help lure future big FA's here for when veterans retire.

[gobombersgo]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers release FB Damian Jackson
By John Hodge -February 15, 2024

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have released American fullback Damian Jackson.

The six-foot-one, 251-pound native of Las Vegas, Nev. dressed for 15 regular season games in 2023, recording three receptions for 21 yards and three special teams tackles.

The 31-year-old started his collegiate career at the University of Nebraska at age 25 after serving four years as a Navy SEAL. He finished college at the University at Buffalo in 2022 where he primarily played defensive end.

The Blue Bombers will open the 2024 regular season by hosting the Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday, June 6.

https://3downnation.com/2024/02/15/winnipeg-blue-bombers-release-fb-damian-jackson/

BLUE BOMBERS TRANSACTIONS
FEBRUARY 15, 2024

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announces the team has released American fullback Damian Jackson.
https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/02/15/blue-bombers-transactions-18/

[J5V]

Princess Auto Stadium

That name is growing on me.

[gobombersgo]

BLUE BOMBERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH OFFENSIVE TACKLE ERIC LOFTON
FEBRUARY 16, 2024

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed American offensive tackle Eric Lofton.

Lofton (6-4, 293, Temple,; born: March 6, 1993 in Lumberton, NJ)  returns to Winnipeg after spending the 2022 season with the club. Last season, he started 14 games for the Riders at tackle.

Lofton has also spent two seasons (2019-20) with the Edmonton Elks, suiting up for two games. He started his CFL career with the Ottawa Redblacks, dressing in four games during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

The New Jersey native played five collegiate seasons (2011-2015) at Temple University. He appeared in 37 games, making starts at right tackle, right guard and left guard.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/02/16/blue-bombers-agree-to-terms-with-offensive-tackle-eric-lofton/

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Transactions:

2024-02-16   WPG   JACKSON, Damian   FB   A   Buffalo   DEL   Free Agent
2024-02-16   WPG   Gemmel, Jeremiah   LB   A   North Carolina   ADD   Game Roster
2024-02-16   WPG   LOFTON, Eric   OL   A   Temple   ADD   Game Roster

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel on Friday.

Jeremiah Gemmel is six foot one and weighs 225 pounds. The 25-year-old from Newnan, Georgia, made eight tackles (1 solo, 7 assists) and one tackle for loss in eight games for the Orlando Guardians (XFL) in 2023.

Orlando drafted Gemmel in the first round (3rd pick) of Phase 6 of the 2023 XFL Draft. The Guardians were not included in the XFL and USFL merger that formed the United Football League (UFL).

Before Orlando, Gemmel signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He also had a brief stint with the Denver Broncos.

Collegiately, Gemmel played four seasons at North Carolina (2018-21) making 238 tackles (136 solo, 102 assists), 20 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two interceptions, 11 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 42 games for the Tar Heels. He was named Third Team All-ACC in 2021.

https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2024/02/16/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-linebacker-jeremiah-gemmel/

[Pigskin]

Really like Gemmels, size and speed.

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Transactions:

2024-02-20   WPG   FORD, Tyrell   DB   N   Waterloo   ADD   Game Roster

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Transactions:

2024-02-21   WPG   RANDOLPH, Kendall   OL   A   Alabama   ADD   Game Roster

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign offensive lineman Kendall Randolph
February 21, 2024

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed offensive lineman Kendall Randolph on Wednesday.

Kendall Randolph is six foot four and weighs 300 pounds. The 26-year-old from Madison, Alabama, signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023, and played three preseason games.

Collegiately, Randolph played four seasons at Alabama (2019-22) after sitting out his first two seasons in 2017 and 2018 with the Crimson Tide. He played 53 games playing guard, tackle, and tight end positions making one tackle (1 solo). In 2022, Randolph helped open holes for 317 rushing yards while providing time for 555 yards of total offense and did not allow a sack.

In 2020, he started six games as a tight end while serving as a backup left tackle to Alex Leatherwood. Randolph played 13 games earning 313 combined snaps at tackle and tight end as the Crimson Tide won the CFP National Championship over Ohio State.

https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2024/02/21/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-offensive-lineman-kendall-randolph/

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BLUE BOMBERS ADD THREE TO ROSTER
FEBRUARY 22, 2024

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed three American players – offensive tackle Kendall Randolph, defensive tackle Kenny Randall and linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel.

Randolph (6-4, 300; Alabama; born: November 14, 1998, in Madison, AL) joins the Blue Bombers after signing as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks last May and suiting up for three preseason games before his release.

Randolph played four years at Alabama (2019-22) and played in 53 games at guard, tackle and tight end for the Crimson Tide. He started six games as a tight end in 2020 while serving as the backup left tackle and played in 13 games as Alabama won the CFP National Championship.

Randall (6-4, 300; Charleston; born: December 7, 1995, in Atlantic City, NJ) returns to the Blue Bombers after attending training camp with the club in 2022 and spending last year with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL where he played in 10 games and registered 2.5 quarterback sacks and 16 tackles.

Randall enjoyed a solid college career with the Golden Eagles and was named First Team All-MEC Honors in 2019 and finished his collegiate career with 64 tackles, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles before signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021 and attending the team's training camp.

Gemmel (6-2, 225; North Carolina; born: November 5, 1998, in Newnan, GA) comes to Winnipeg after playing in seven games last season with the Orlando Guardians of the XFL. He played in 42 games, starting 38, for the Tar Heels from 2017-21) before earning NFL looks from the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos in 2022. He was voted team captain with UNC in his junior season and as a senior was named Third Team All-ACC after registering 75 tackles, seven hurries, 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/02/22/blue-bombers-add-three-to-roster-4/

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BLUE BOMBERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH KICKER SERGIO CASTILLO
FEBRUARY 23, 2024

WINNIPEG, MB., February 23, 2024 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with American kicker Sergio Castillo.

Castillo (5-9, 197; West Texas A&M; born: November 1, 1990, in La Joya, TX) returns to the Blue Bombers for a fourth season in 2024 in his third stint with the club after initially signing in 2015. He was acquired via trade during the 2021 campaign and then signed last May following his release by the Edmonton Elks.

Castillo's 2023 season was record-breaking, as he connected on 46 of 51 field goal attempts, with his 90.2 percentage establishing a new Blue Bombers standard. Castillo was a perfect 31 of 31 inside the 40-yard line; 15 of 20 in 40-plus attempts and four of 6 from 50 yards-plus, including a season-long of 53 yards.

He was 3 of 5 in the Western Final and then hit his only attempt in the Grey Cup, extending his streak in championship games to six after he went 5 of 5 in the Blue Bombers 2021 victory over Hamilton in the title game.

Castillo has a career field goal percentage of 86.7 (170-196) in 77 career CFL games with the Blue Bombers (2015, 2021, and 2023), Ottawa REDBLACKS (2016), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2017), B.C. Lions (2019) and Edmonton Elks (2022). He was a CFL All-Star with the Lions in '19 and also has pro experience with the New York Jets (2020), Houston Roughnecks (2020) and San Antonio Commanders.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/02/23/blue-bombers-agree-to-terms-with-kicker-sergio-castillo/