Blue Bombers roster - 2024-2025

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Transactions:

2025-01-06   WPG   NEUFELD, Patrick   OL   N   Saskatchewan   ADD   Game Roster

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers   @Wpg_BlueBombers
The team has released American receiver Ontaria Wilson in order to allow him to pursue an NFL opportunity.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' REC Ontaria Wilson signs with New York Jets
By Justin Dunk -January 9, 2025

The New York Jets have signed Winnipeg Blue Bombers' receiver Ontaria Wilson to a reserve futures contract for the 2025 season, per sources.

Wilson was released by the Bombers on Thursday afternoon to pursue the NFL opportunity. He worked out for the Jets on Monday, December 23, which was his only tryout with a team south of the border.

The 25-year-old caught 71 passes for 1,026 yards and three touchdowns over 18 regular season games as a CFL rookie, helping the Blue and Gold reach the Grey Cup for the fifth straight season. The six-foot-one, 175-pound target finished ninth in receiving yards league-wide and second on his team behind Canadian Nic Demski.

The Ashburn, Ga. native played 51 collegiate games at Florida State University where he caught 108 passes for 1,521 yards and 12 touchdowns. He signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2023 but was released during final roster cuts.

CFL rules stipulate any player can sign an NFL contract during the offseason. The Bombers retain Wilson's exclusive CFL rights through February 2026.

https://3downnation.com/2025/01/09/winnipeg-blue-bombers-rec-ontaria-wilson-signs-with-new-york-jets/

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Transactions:

2025-01-09   WPG   WILSON, Ontaria   WR   A   Florida State   DEL   Free Agent

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Blue Bombers re-sign defensive back Jamal Parker Jr
January 10, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension with defensive back Jamal Parker, Jr. who was scheduled to become a free agent next month.

Parker, Jr. (5-8, 177; Kent State; born: January 16, 1998, in Pennsauken, NJ) returns in 2025 for his 4th season with the Blue Bombers, although he missed last season with a knee injury.

A versatile defensive back who can play corner and halfback, Parker, Jr. was first signed by the Blue Bombers on May 15th, 2022, and dressed for 13 Canadian Football League games as a rookie, as well as both playoff contests.

He returned in 2023 and appeared in eight games, taking over as the starting corner for the final three contests as well as the Western Final and Grey Cup and was expected to challenge for a starting job in 2024 before suffering the knee injury in camp.

He has played in 20 games for the Blue Bombers, registering 50 defensive tackles, 11 more on special teams, while adding one interception and one sack. He has also filled in as a returner on occasion, with 295 yards on 24 punt returns and five kickoff returns for 66 yards.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/01/10/blue-bombers-re-sign-defensive-back-jamal-parker-jr/

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Blue Bombers re-sign all-star defensive end Willie Jefferson
January 12, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension with veteran all-star defensive end, Willie Jefferson, who was scheduled to become a free agent in February.

Jefferson (6-7, 248; Stephen F. Austin State; born: January 31, 1991, in Beaumont, TX.) returns in 2025 for his 11th season in the Canadian Football League and sixth with the Blue Bombers including his days with Edmonton (2014-15) and Saskatchewan (2016-18).

Jefferson was named to the All-CFL team for a sixth time in 2024 after leading the club in quarterback sacks with six – the fourth time in five seasons he has led the team – while adding 25 defensive tackles, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and adding 10 pass knockdowns. He then followed that up in the Grey Cup loss to Toronto with six tackles, two sacks, a tackle for loss, forced fumble and interception in one of the best games of his career.

Jefferson now has 43 career sacks as a Blue Bomber, ranking him tied for sixth all-time in franchise history with Michael Gray. His 74 total career sacks currently ranks 29th in CFL history. Jefferson is also the only player in CFL history with at least 50 sacks and 50 pass knockdowns, with his 78 knockdowns ranking fourth all time.

A respected and vocal leader in the locker room, Jefferson has played in 155 CFL games, including 80 with the Blue Bombers, and has three Grey Cup rings (Edmonton, 2015; Winnipeg 2019, 2021).

A Winnipeg resident, he is also one of the team's most visible players in the community and has been the recipient of both the Ed Kotowich 'Good Guy Award' (2022) and the Cal Murphy 'Heart of a Legend' Award (2023).

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/01/12/blue-bombers-re-sign-all-star-defensive-end-willie-jefferson/

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Farhan Lalji   @FarhanLaljiTSN
200k for Willie Jefferson. #Bombers

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Blue Bombers sign receiver Dillon Mitchell
January 13, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with veteran American receiver Dillon Mitchell.

Mitchell (6-1, 190; University of Oregon; born: May 16, 1997, in Memphis, TN.) joins the Blue Bombers after spending the last three seasons with the Edmonton Elks. He was released by Edmonton on January 10th.

Mitchell, 27, set career highs last year with the Elks, finishing with 58 receptions for 727 yards and four touchdowns in 18 games. He led Edmonton in kickoff return yards, returning 23 for 535 yards, which ranked sixth in the Canadian Football League. Mitchell also handled 19 punt returns covering 172 yards, second on the Elks.

Mitchell suited up for 45 games over his three years with the Elks and had 130 catches for 1,896 yards and 12 touchdowns. He posted four 100-yard receiving games during his days in Edmonton.

Mitchell played his college ball with the Ducks (2016-18) and in his junior year (2018) he was named the Redbox Bowl MVP, AP Pac-12 All-Conference second team, and Coaches Pac-12 All-conference second team while finishing with a single-season record of 1,184 yards receiving, which led the Pac-12.

After that season, he declared for the 2019 NFL Draft and was selected in the seventh round, 239th overall, by the Minnesota Vikings. He spent parts of the next two seasons on Minnesota's practice squad before signing in Edmonton in late July of 2022.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/01/13/blue-bombers-sign-receiver-dillon-mitchell/

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Transactions:

2025-01-13   WPG   GARCIA, Antonio   OL   A   Troy   ADD   Active Roster
2025-01-13   WPG   PARKER, Jamal   DB   A   Kent State   ADD   Active Roster
2025-01-13   WPG   MITCHELL, Dillon   WR   A   Oregon   ADD   Active Roster
2025-01-13   WPG   JEFFERSON, Willie   DL   A   Stephen F. Austin State   ADD   Active Roster
2025-01-13   WPG   Adams, D'Marcus   WR   A   Syracuse   ADD   Active Roster
2025-01-13   WPG   Hillman, Marcus   DB   A   Elon University   ADD   Active Roster

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign DB Marcus Hillman and two other players
January 13, 2025 Michael Heilman

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed offensive lineman Antonio Garcia, wide receiver D'Marcus Adams, and defensive back Marcus Hillman on Monday according to the CFL Transactions page.

Antonio Garcia is six foot seven and weighs 305 pounds. The 31-year-old from Houston, Texas, signed with the Edmonton Elks on January 24, 2024. In 2024, Garcia attended training camp for the Elks. Edmonton released him on May 7, 2024.

The New England Patriots drafted Garcia in the third round (85th pick) of the 2017 NFL Draft. Garcia also spent time with the New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Edmonton Elks. He played two preseason games for the Elks in 2022.

The Vegas Vipers (XFL) drafted Garcia in the first round (4th pick) of Phase 4 of the 2023 XFL Draft. He played one game before he was traded to the D.C. Defenders on March 6, 2023. He played one game for the Defenders. The Philadelphia Stars (USFL) signed Garcia on May 30, 2023. In 2023, he played two games.

Collegiately, Garcia played five seasons at Troy (2012-16), playing 43 games, of which 40 were starts for the Trojans. In his senior season, Garcia did not allow a sack in over 900 offensive snaps to lead an offensive line that led in the country in the fewest sacks allowed (9).

In addition, Garcia led an offensive line that paved the way for Jordan Chunn to become the ninth 1,000-yard rusher in school history. Furthermore, Chunn also set the school career rushed touchdown record and finished one shy of the single-season record.

Troy averaged 33.7 points and 429.6 yards per game. He was named All-Sun Belt First Team in 2016 and All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention in 2015.

D'Marcus Adams is six foot and weighs 182 pounds. The 25-year-old from Ormond Beach, Florida, attended the Buffalo Bills rookie minicamp in 2024. Adams signed with the Edmonton Elks on August 12, 2024, and spent a couple of weeks on the practice squad. The Elks released him on August 27, 2024.

Collegiately, Adams started at Florida State (2018-19) but did not play for the Seminoles. However, Adams competed in track and field finishing sixth in the Crimson Tide Invitational and 10th at the ACC Championships.

Next, he transferred to Florida Atlantic University (2020-21) making three catches for 94 yards, 10 kick returns for 236 yards, and one tackle (1 assist) in 17 games for the Owls. Then, Adams transferred to Syracuse (2022-23) making 7 catches for 186 yards, two touchdowns, 6 kick returns for 93 yards, and 16 punt returns for 119 yards in 11 games for the Orange.

Marcus Hillman is six foot and weighs 200 pounds. The 24-year-old from Camden, New Jersey, signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on January 23, 2024. In 2024, Hillman attended training camp for the Blue Bombers. Winnipeg released him on May 18, 2024.

Collegiately, Hillman played five seasons at Elon University (2018-22) making 188 tackles (101 solos, 87 assists), 31 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, one interception for two yards, five pass breakups, eight forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and one carry for 21 yards in 47 games for the Phoenix.

In 2022, Hillman made 83 tackles (51 solos, 32 assists), 18.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, three pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 12 games. He was named First Team All-CAA and First Team All-CAA by Phil Steele in 2022.

https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2025/01/13/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-db-marcus-hillman-and-two-other-players/

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Blue Bombers transactions – January 14

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed American receiver D'Marcus Adams, American offensive lineman Antonio Garcia, American defensive back Marcus Hillman and American linebacker Marvin Pierre.

Adams (6-0, 185, Syracuse, born: October 24, 1999 in Ormond Beach, FL ) most recently spent part of the 2024 season on the Elks practice roster. He began his collegiate career at Florida Atlantic before transferring to Syracuse (2022-23), making seven catches for 186 yards, two touchdowns, six kick returns for 93 yards, and 16 punt returns for 119 yards in eleven games for the Orange.

Garcia (6-7, 305, Troy, born: December 10, 1993 in Houston, TX.) attended Elks training camp in 2024. The New England Patriots drafted Garcia in the third round (85th pick) of the 2017 NFL Draft. Garcia also spent time with the New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Edmonton Elks. Garcia also spent time in the XFL with D.C. and Vegas.

Hillman (6-0, 200, Elon; born: October 2, 2000, in Camden, NJ) returns to the Bombers after spending part of the 2024 training camp with the team. He played in 47 games at Elon over five seasons at the school (2018-22), registering 101 tackles, 13 sacks, one interception, eight forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and five pass knockdowns. As a senior, he was a First Team All-CAA (Coastal Athletic Association) after leading the team with 83 combined tackles.

Pierre (6-1, 221, Kent State; born: December 14, 1998, in Rahway, NJ) spent training camp with Hamilton in 2024. Pierre signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023, later spending time with Green Bay, seeing action in one preseason game.

He finished his collegiate career at Kent State in 2021-22, making 149 tackles (86 solos, 63 assists), 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception for 33 yards, one touchdown, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 25 games for the Golden Flashes.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/01/14/blue-bombers-transactions-january-14/

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Blue Bombers re-sign linebackers Kyrie Wilson and Shayne Gauthier
January 14, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year extensions with veteran linebackers Kyrie Wilson and Shayne Gauthier. Both were scheduled to become a free agents next month.

Wilson (6-1, 227; Fresno State; born: November 5, 1992, in Fresno, CA.) returns in 2025 for his eighth Canadian Football League season, all of them with the Blue Bombers.

Injuries limited Wilson to just regular-season eight games in 2024 plus the Western Final and Grey Cup, all of them starts, but when he was on the field, he was productive in registering 28 defensive tackles and one quarterback sack.

Wilson, 32, has appeared in 51 games over his seven seasons with the Blue Bombers and has 161 tackles, 15 more on special teams, to go along with six sacks, one interception and one forced fumble.

Wilson came to the Blue Bombers in 2017 after signing as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders. He was a three-year starter at Fresno State.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year extension with veteran linebacker Shayne Gauthier who was scheduled to become a free agent next month.

Gauthier (5-10, 234; Laval; born: February 2, 1992, in Dolbeau-Mistassini, Que.) returns to the Blue Bombers for a ninth season in 2025 after originally being selected by the club in the fourth round, 28th overall, in the 2016 CFL Draft.

Limited to six games due to injury in 2023, Gauthier was again a pillar on special teams and as part of a defensive rotation in 2024 in suiting up for all 18 regular-season games as well as the Western Final and Grey Cup. He registered seven defensive tackles and added one forced fumble in '24, adding 14 tackles on special teams – the third-highest total on the club.

He now has 71 career special-teams tackles, ranking 10th in Blue Bombers history.

Gauthier has now dressed for 105 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/2025/01/14/blue-bombers-re-sign-linebackers-kyrie-wilson-and-shayne-gauthier/

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Transactions:

2025-01-14   WPG   WILSON, Kyrie   LB   A   Fresno State   ADD   Active Roster
2025-01-14   WPG   GAUTHIER, Shayne   LB   N   Laval   ADD   Active Roster

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Blue Bombers re-sign defensive back Evan Holm
January 15, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year extension with veteran defensive back Evan Holm, who was scheduled to become a free agent next month.

Holm (5-11, 180; University of North Dakota; born: May 14, 1998, in Edina, MN.) returns in 2025 for his fourth season with the Blue Bombers and following a campaign in which he established a career-high in defensive tackles with a team-leading 85, while adding one fumble return, four tackles on special teams and nine pass knockdowns.

Holm started all 18 regular-season games plus the Western Final and Grey Cup last year. A West Division All-Star in 2023, he has appeared in 45 games for the Blue Bombers, 40 of them starts.

Holm dressed for 47 games, starting 25, during his days with the Fighting Hawks and earned All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honours during his redshirt senior season (2020-21) and was named as an honourable mention to the MVFC All-Academic Team.  Holm was named UND's most-valuable defensive back in his junior season and as a freshman was named to the Big Sky All-Academic Team.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/01/15/blue-bombers-re-sign-defensive-back-evan-holm/

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign DB Evan Holm to one-year extension
By John Hodge -January 15, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed American defensive back Evan Holm to a one-year contract extension, tying him to the team through 2025. Per source, the extension includes a $40,000 signing bonus and is worth $135,000 in hard money.

https://3downnation.com/2025/01/15/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-db-evan-holm-to-one-year-extension/

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Transactions:

2025-01-15   WPG   HOLM, Evan   DB   A   North Dakota   ADD   Active Roster