Blue Bombers roster - 2024-2025

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers add six to roster

WINNIPEG, MB., February 14, 2025 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has six American players: defensive backs Cam Allen, Trey Vaval, Isaiah Avery and Dexter Lawson, Jr., linebacker Latavius Brini and receiver David Wallis.

Allen (6-1, 195; Purdue; born: November 22, 1999, in Bluefield, VA) was most recently with the Denver Broncos in 2024 as an undrafted free agent following a collegiate career with the Boilermakers.

Allen played five seasons at Purdue (2019-23) and appeared in 56 games, 31 of which were starts, and finished with 157 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss, 13 interceptions including one for a touchdown, 31 pass break ups, four forced fumbles and one blocked kick while being named a three-time Big Ten Honorable Mention.

Vaval (6-0, 170; Minnesota State: born: August 25, 2000, in Blue Springs, MO) joins the Blue Bombers after attending training camp with the Atlanta Falcons last year.

Vaval split his college days between Minnesota State (2021-23) and Missouri Western State (2019-20). He appeared in 25 games over two years with the Mavericks as a defensive back and return specialist – returning both a punt and kickoff for a TD – while registering two interceptions, 52 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, 14 passes defended and five blocks. In 2019 was All-MIAA First Team as a return specialist and an AFCA All-American at Missouri Western State.

Avery (6-0, 180; Portland State; born: November 21, 1999, in Antioch, CA) comes to Winnipeg after most recently attending rookie minicamp with the San Francisco 49ers last season.

Avery spent his college days at Portland State (2022-23), Liberty University (2019-21) and City College of San Francisco (2018). He started all 22 games for the Vikings, finishing his Portland State career with 50 total tackles, 12 pass break ups, one forced fumble and two interceptions. He also ran track at Portland State, specializing in sprints.

He played in 16 games at Liberty and had 10 tackles and at City College he played one season and finished with 32 tackles and an interception for a touchdown while helping lead them to the Golden State Bowl.

Lawson, Jr. (5-9, 190; Appalachian State; born: November 5, 1999, in Bloomfield, CT) joins the Blue Bombers after spending the last two years with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, appearing in 13 games over that span and registering 45 tackles and one interception.

Lawson finished his collegiate career at Appalachian State, appearing in 12 games, 10 of them starts, and recording 26 tackles, three interceptions, five pass break ups and one forced fumble. Prior to that, he played at Central Connecticut (2018-21), appearing in 23 games and earning second team All-Northeast Conference in 2019.

Brini (6-2, 215; Georgia; born: November 9, 1998, in Miami Gardens, FLA) was most recently with the Toronto Argonauts last year during camp, then with the Montreal Alouettes before being released after the preseason.

He first turned pro as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023 and appeared in three preseason games before being released.

Brini split his college days between Arkansas (2022) and Georgia (2018-21). He played 13 games for the Razorbacks in 2022 and had 55 combined tackles, four tackles for loss, one forced fumble, two pass breakups and one interception

In his four years with the Bulldogs he appeared in 30 games, helping them win the Peach Bowl in 2020 while racking up 50 tackles, six tackles for loss, one interception and 10 pass break ups.

Wallis (6-0, 184; Randolph-Macon; born: August 8, 2001, in Cedar Point, NC) comes to Winnipeg after first turning pro with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He has also had NFL looks from the New York Giants and Chicago Bears.

Wallis played in 42 games over five years at Randolph-Macon), finishing with 146 catches for 3,144 yards and 34 touchdowns – 25 of those scores coming in his last two seasons with the Yellow Jackets. As a senior in 2023 he was named VaSID First Team All-State, All-Region First Team and All-ODAC First Team.

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Transactions:

2025-02-14   WPG   Wallis, David   WR   A   Randolph-Macon College   ADD   Active Roster

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Transactions:

2025-02-18   WPG   Davis, Javaris   DB   A   Auburn   ADD   Active Roster

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign defensive back Javaris Davis
February 18, 2025 Michael Heilman

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed defensive back Javaris Davis on Tuesday according to the CFL Transactions page.

Javaris Davis is five foot ten and weighs 186 pounds. The 28-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, was drafted by the Orlando Guardians in the second round (16th pick) of Phase 2 of the 2023 XFL Draft. In 2023, he played one game for the Guardians recording no stats.

The Guardians released him on March 15, 2023. Next, the Arlington Renegades signed Davis on March 28, 2023. Davis played two games making one tackle (1 solo) when the Renegades won the XFL Championship over the D.C. Defenders. He became a free agent after the 2023 season. Davis did not play football in 2024.

The Kansas City Chiefs signed Davis as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2020. He also spent time with the Miami Dolphins and the Cincinnati Bengals. Davis played one regular season game for Miami making two tackles (2 solos).

Collegiately, Davis played four seasons at Auburn (2016-19) making 147 tackles (115 solos, 35 assists), 11 tackles for loss, two sacks, eight interceptions for 133 yards, one touchdown, one forced fumble, 27 pass breakups, and one kick return for 29 yards in 49 games for the Tigers.

https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2025/02/18/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-defensive-back-javaris-davis/

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What the Winnipeg Blue Bombers top free agents got paid (& how they fit into the roster)
By John Hodge -February 19, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were highly active in free agency this year, adding 10 players from other CFL teams. Now that the dust has settled, it's time to take a look at how much the free-agent additions were paid, per sources, and how they'll fit into the depth chart.

This biggest addition — financially, at least — was defensive end James Vaughters, who received a $45,000 signing bonus on a deal worth $160,000 in hard money. The 31-year-old native of Chicago, Ill. made a little over $170,000 with the Calgary Stampeders last year when he recorded 32 defensive tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles over 18 regular-season games.

General manager Kyle Walters made it clear that the Blue Bombers are looking for more production opposite Willie Jefferson. He appears optimistic that Vaughters can refind his form from 2023 when he made five sacks and two forced fumbles over only six games before suffering a season-ending arm injury.

Dillon Mitchell was Winnipeg's second-highest-paid free-agent addition at $148,000 in hard money, including a $63,300 signing bonus. The University of Oregon product, who took the CFL by storm as a rookie with the Edmonton Elks in 2022 before two middling seasons in 2023 and 2024, also has an $8,000 bonus in his contract if he hits 2,000 receiving yards. Only three CFL players have ever reached that figure in a single season, so you have to admire the optimism.

Jonathan Jones received a $15,000 signing bonus to join the Blue Bombers on a contract worth $120,500 in hard money for 2025, which is significantly more than veteran Kyrie Wilson is set to make. As such, it seems fair to speculate that Jones is penciled in as the starter at weak-side linebacker, a spot he manned off and on over three seasons with the Toronto Argonauts.

Explosive playmaker Peyton Logan got a $10,000 signing bonus to come to Winnipeg on a deal worth $107,500 in hard money. The deal seems like a bargain considering the 26-year-old's versatility. Logan is among the CFL's best returners and should also play a significant role in Jason Hogan's new offence as a change-of-pace running back behind Brady Oliveira and a receiver in the slot.

Shea Patterson will earn $88,000 in hard money to serve a depth role at quarterback, plus playtime incentives. The 28-year-old went 2-4-1 as a starter with the Saskatchewan Roughriders last season, throwing for 1,655 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions, earning the team's only win over Winnipeg.

Winnipeg's two other receiver signings, Reggie White Jr. and Jerreth Sterns, will both make between $85,000 and $90,000 in hard money. These are bargain-rate contracts for players looking to reignite their CFL careers. White Jr. was once poised to break out with the Alouettes before suffering a devastating knee that caused him to miss the entire 2023 season, while Sterns was outshone over two years in a deep Saskatchewan receiver room.

The team's four Canadian depth signings — receiver Gavin Cobb, defensive lineman Brock Gowanlock, and defensive backs Josh Hagerty and Enock Makonzo — will all make between $80,000 and $85,000 in hard money plus incentives. None of the additions, two of whom played collegiately at the University of Manitoba, are expected to be day-one starters, but all four could be on the active roster come the first week of the regular season.

There's been speculation that Winnipeg, likely the CFL's most profitable team, could stuff contracts with marketing money to massage the salary cap. Due to a loophole in the collective bargaining agreement, teams are able to pay players an essentially unlimited amount of cash in marketing money, none of which counts against the salary cap.

Based on their recent signings, it's clear the Blue Bombers didn't do this. Jones has $8,000 of marketing money in his deal, Logan has $7,500, and Vaughters has $5,000, none of which are particularly significant sums. The king of CFL marketing money is still easily B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, who will earn $200,000 off the salary cap in 2025.

With the Grey Cup set to be played in Winnipeg for the first time in a decade, many local fans were hoping the team would throw the salary cap out the window and spend like drunken sailors. For better or worse, that didn't happen. Had the team done so, it seems likely that Kenny Lawler, Liam Dobson, and Tyrell Ford would still be wearing blue and gold.

Let's examine how these new additions will fit into Winnipeg's depth chart. The outline below is obviously unofficial — there will be plenty more changes to the roster before training camp — but it is one interpretation of how things currently stand. This depth chart is based on sourcing, last year's depth charts, and historical precedent.

The receiving corps will miss Lawler's explosiveness but it's still a good group, especially with Dalton Schoen returning from an ACL tear that caused him to miss almost all of last season. Dobson will be missed at left guard and though Kendall Randolph, Tui Eli, and Gabe Wallace have all fared decently in spot duty, one would think the Blue Bombers will address the offensive line in April's draft.

Brady Oliveira remains the best running back in the CFL, while the depth behind Zach Collaros has arguably improved with the addition of Patterson and Terry Wilson entering his second CFL season. Chris Streveler is back as the likely No. 2 behind Collaros and may have a larger role in the offence under Hogan after not seeing much action outside of short-yardage in 2024.

One could argue that Winnipeg's defensive line and linebacking corps have improved from last year, depending on how well Vaughters and Jones fit into Jordan Younger's system. The secondary will miss Tyrell Ford at field-side cornerback, though the team still seems high on Jamal Parker after he missed all of last season due to injury.

Logan is a significant upgrade at returner, a spot that was a revolving door for most of last year. Winnipeg finished eighth in punt return average and kick return average in 2024 and it's likely that they'll improve in both categories in 2025.

Arguably the biggest drawback for the Blue Bombers this offseason is their ratio flexibility. The team consistently started eight Canadians — one more than the minimum requirement — almost all of last season and sometimes started as many as ten. Following the departures of Dobson and Ford, the team simply doesn't have that type of flexibility anymore, which could spell trouble if they're bitten by the injury bug.

This year's draft is considered pretty deep and the Blue Bombers will likely end up with four picks in the top 26 selections, giving them a good chance to round out their Canadian depth before training camp gets underway. Even with these additions, however, the team will no longer be the envy of the CFL when it comes to ratio flexibility.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/19/what-the-winnipeg-blue-bombers-top-free-agents-got-paid-how-they-fit-into-the-roster/

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers add two to roster

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed two defensive backs: Canadian Enock Makonzo and American Javaris Davis.

Makonzo (5-11, 195; Coastal Carolina; born: May 1, 1997, in Lachine, QC) joins the Blue Bombers after most recently being a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Makonzo suffered an Achilles injury prior to camp last season and missed the entire year.

He was a first-round pick, fourth overall, in the 2022 CFL Draft by the Edmonton Elks and had a solid debut, playing in 16 games – including 10 starts – at the dime spot and recorded 56 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble. He played in six games in 2023 and had 11 tackles and one forced fumble.

Makonzo began his college career at New Mexico Military Institute before transferring to Coastal Carolina, finishing his days with the Chanticleers with 150 tackles, 21.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks and five forced fumbles. He was also a member of Team Quebec and the Canadian men's national football team.

Davis (5-8, 183; Auburn; born: December 26, 1996, in Jacksonville, FL) comes to Winnipeg after most recently spending the 2023 season with the Orlando Guardians and Arlington Renegades.

Davis first turned pro as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020 and has also spent time with the Miami Dolphins (2020-21) and Cincinnati Bengals (2022).

During his college days at Auburn he played in 49 games, including 35 starts and finished with 150 tackles, 32 passes defended, eight interceptions and once forced fumble. He was named to the freshman All-SEC team in 2016.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/02/21/winnipeg-blue-bombers-add-two-to-roster/

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Transactions:

2025-02-21   WPG   BRASWELL, Montrae   DB   A   Missouri State   DEL   Active Roster
2025-02-21   WPG   BRASWELL, Montrae   DB   A   Missouri State   ADD FROM LEAGUE SUSPENSION   Active Roster
2025-02-21   WPG   BRASWELL, Montrae   DB   A   Missouri State   ADD   Active Roster

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers release defensive back Montrae Braswell
February 21, 2025 Michael Heilman

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers released defensive back Montrae Braswell on Friday according to the CFL Transactions page.

Montrae Braswell is six foot and weighs 190 pounds. The 26-year-old from Avon Park, Florida, signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on April 2, 2024. The Blue Bombers placed Braswell on the suspended list on May 12, 2024.

The Kansas City Chiefs signed Braswell as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2023, and was released a day later. Next, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks on June 1, 2023. In 2023, he played one preseason game recording no stats. The Seahawks released him on August 22, 2023.

The St. Louis Battlehawks (UFL) signed Braswell on December 13, 2023. The Battlehawks released him on March 10, 2024.

Collegiately, Braswell played one season at Central Michigan in 2019 making 34 tackles (24 solos, 10 assists), one interception for 16 yards, 11 pass breakups, and 13 kick returns for 289 yards in 14 games for the Chippewas. He ranked fourth in the MAC in pass breakups (11).

Then, Braswell transferred to Missouri State (2020-22) making 125 tackles (94 solos, 31 assists), three tackles for loss, one sack, six interceptions for 82 yards, two touchdowns, 25 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 39 kick returns for 1,170 yards, three touchdowns, and two punt returns for one yard in 29 games for the Bears.

He was named a three-time First Team All-MVFC as both a defensive back and returner, along with three-time All-American by AP, STATS, Phil Steele, and Hero Sports.

https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2025/02/21/winnipeg-blue-bombers-release-defensive-back-montrae-braswell/

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Transactions:

2025-03-03   WPG   Woodbey, Jaiden   DB   A   Boston College   ADD   Active Roster

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign defensive back Jaiden Woodbey
March 3, 2025 Michael Heilman

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed defensive back Jaiden Woodbey on Monday according to the CFL Transactions page.

Jaiden Woodbey is six foot and weighs 222 pounds. The 25-year-old from Fontana, California, signed with the Massachusetts Pirates (IFL) on May 10, 2024. In 2024, he made 53 tackles (31 solos, 22 assists), three tackles for loss, and two pass breakups in 11 games. The Pirates re-signed Woodbey on November 23, 2024.

The Los Angeles Rams signed Woodbey as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2023. In 2023, he made 13 tackles (8 solos, 5 assists) in three preseason games. The Rams released him on August 29, 2023.

Collegiately, Woodbey played three seasons at Florida State (2018-20) making 105 tackles (45 solos, 60 assists), eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 10 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 24 games for the Seminoles.

Then, he transferred to Boston College (2021-22) making 104 tackles (54 solos, 50 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, half a sack, two interceptions for 12 yards, five pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries in 20 games for the Eagles. He was named a two-time All-ACC Honorable Mention.

https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2025/03/03/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-defensive-back-jaiden-woodbey/

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers add defensive back to roster

WINNIPEG, MB., March 6, 2025 –  The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed American defensive back Jaiden Woodbey.

Woodbey (6-0, 222; Boston College/Florida State; born: January 20, 2000, in Fontana, CA) comes to the Blue Bombers after spending last season with the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League where he had 53 combined tackles, three tackles for loss and two passes defended in 11 games.

He first turned pro as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams in 2023 and appeared in three preseason games.

Woodbey began his college career with the Seminoles (2018-20) and over 24 games had 45 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 10 pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He was named to the ESPN Freshman All-American Team, the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Academic Team and the ACC Honor Roll in his first season.

He then transferred to Boston College (2021-22) and had 54 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, five pass breakups and two fumble recoveries in 20 games while twice being named an All-ACC Honorable Mention.

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign defensive back Rashaan Gaulden
March 7, 2025 Michael Heilman

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed defensive back Rashaan Gaulden on Friday according to the CFL Transactions page.

Rashaan Gaulden is six foot and weighs 200 pounds. The 30-year-old from Spring Hill, Tennessee, was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round (85th pick) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played two seasons in Carolina making 20 tackles (14 solos, 6 assists), two tackles for loss, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble in 24 games. The Panthers released him on November 25, 2019.

The New York Giants signed Gaulden on December 4, 2019. He appeared in one game for the Giants before he was released on August 2, 2020. The Las Vegas Raiders signed Gaulden on November 9, 2020. He appeared in two games for the Raiders and was released on June 4, 2021.

The Calgary Stampeders signed Gaulden on September 27, 2022. He spent several weeks on the practice squad before the Stampeders released him on October 20, 2022. He did not play football in 2023 and 2024.

Collegiately, Gaulden played three seasons at the University of Tennessee (2014, 2016-17) making 140 tackles (97 solos, 43 assists), 9.5 tackles for loss, one interception, 10 pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 36 games for the Volunteers. He missed the 2015 season with a foot injury.

https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2025/03/07/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-defensive-back-rashaan-gaulden/

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Transactions:

2025-03-07   WPG   Gaulden, Rashaan   DB   A   Tennessee   ADD   Active Roster

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1st & 10: Who's in/who's out and what it all means
March 7, 2025   Ed Tait

Welcome to the Canadian Football League's annual offseason lull — that period in between free agency in February and training camp and with the news cycle heating up again later this month via the national combine followed by the draft in April.

And it's here during that unofficial downshift in news where we thought we'd pitstop for a spell and revisit some of the key happenings which have unfolded for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers since last November's Grey Cup loss, a result which spoiled the club's fifth straight championship game appearance.

Long the picture of roster and front-office stability, the Blue Bombers have undergone more change this winter that at any point during this run which has seen the club post nine straight double-digit win seasons and win two titles. That has undoubtedly led to the tepid response from media outlets across the league as to what the team did in free agency, takes which seemed to focus more on the losses than key additions like Peyton Logan, James Vaughters, Jonathan Jones, Jerreth Sterns, Shea Patterson, Reggie White Jr. and Dillon Mitchell, among others.

Yet, even with all that change there is a sense within the walls of Bomberland that the club could not just tread water in 2025 but also be improved. As GM Kyle Walters said following the first few days of free agency, "Only time will tell, but I do like our roster."

To that end, let's spend this edition of 1st & 10 examining the impact of all the arrivals and departures while offering a bit of a refresher on some of the stuff previously posted on bluebombers.com...

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/03/07/1st-10-whos-in-whos-out-and-what-it-all-means/

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Alexander moves on from the Blue Bombers
March 9, 2025   Ed Tait

He was the picture of perseverance and long symbolized the value of hard work.

And during his eight years with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Brandon Alexander transformed from a young prospect jumping the line to get more reps to impress coaches during training camp to one of the most-respected leaders in the team's locker room.

On Sunday Alexander — a member of the 2019 and 2021 Grey Cup championship squads who played with the club from 2017-24 — announced his departure from the Blue Bombers with a post on Facebook after not being offered a contract from the club. He remains a Canadian Football League free agent.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/03/09/alexander-steps-away-from-the-game/