2026 Rookie Training Camp

[ModAdmin]

For those who plan to attend training camp this year (starting May 6th), please report your observations here.  Media reports on the Rookie Training camp will also be posted here.

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers Rookie Camp Primer

It is a seven-hour audition spread out over three days and with a definite 'outwit, out play, outlast' Survivor-type feel to it all.

One mistake, after all, could be critically devastating, just as one shining moment might make a massive positive first impression.

So, given all that — the high stakes involved with potential future employment very much hanging in the balance — Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie camp annually serves as both a gruelling, cutthroat job interview and compelling theatre.

Case in point: Blue Bombers rookies will be on the field Wednesday morning for the first of three practice sessions and by the time Friday rolls around some of them may soon be on the highway, what with main training camp starting Sunday morning and the roster needing to be set at 85, not including 2026 CFL Canadian Draft picks. By next Tuesday, that number needs to be at 75 — again not including draft picks.

As of this writing there are 107 players on the Blue Bombers roster so very soon it will be a case of the math ain't mathing for some.

All that said, there is opportunity here for some of the newcomers.

Familiar faces gone from last year's roster include quarterbacks Chris Streveler and Chase Artopoeus, receivers Dillon Mitchell, Jerreth Sterns, Keric Wheatfall and Dalton Schoen, centre Chris Kolankowski, defensive linemen Jake Thomas, James Vaughters, Devin Adams and Jamal Woods, linebacker Shayne Gauthier and defensive backs Demerio Houston, Jamal Parker, Jr., Dexter Lawson, Jr. and Terrell Bonds.

The club was busy over the winter in free agency, adding defensive tackle Jake Ceresna, offensive tackle Jarell Broxton, receivers Tim White and Tommy Nield, linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox along with defensive backs Jonathan Moxey, Deandre Lamont and Alijah McGhee.

All that said, there is opportunity here. Every spring brings change, just as Trey Vaval — the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie last year — along with Jaiden Woodbey, Cam Allen, Jaylen Smith, Connor Shay, Ethan Ball, Matthew Peterson, Lane Novak and Ian Leroux all made the club and significant contributions last year after stepping up in rookie and main training camp.

As rookie camp opens a nugget worth noting: two of the Blue Bombers 2026 CFL Canadian Draft class — defensive end Nuer Gatkuoth (first round, fourth overall) and offensive lineman Kevin Cline (second round, 20th overall) — will not be present. Gatkuoth is expected as soon as this weekend after attending rookie minicamp with the Denver Broncos while Cline could be a while, as he has signed with the Miami Dolphins and will be at their main training camp this summer.

The Blue Bombers open their preseason on Saturday, May 23rd in Saskatoon vs. the Saskatchewan Roughriders and then are home on Friday, May 29th against the B.C. Lions for their final dress rehearsal.

Winnipeg opens the 2026 regular season on Friday, June 5th in Calgary against the Stampeders and will then be in front of their fans for the home opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Thursday, June 11th.

Here's a quick primer to get Blue Bombers fans ready for rookie camp...

WHO TO WATCH

Names passed along by Blue Bombers crack scouting staff (in no particular order)....

The rest of the Rookie Camp article is here...

https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/05/05/blue-bombers-rookie-camp-primer/

[gobombersgo]

[theaardvark]

Daniels #73 listed as a running back... interesting.

[Stats Junkie]

109 players listed on training camp roster

includes
#7 QB Cole Anseeuw - U Sports intern, U of M (also at 2025 TC)
#78 Rec Jerome Penner - Winnipeg Rifles (invited to camp in 2025)

On roster at bluebombers.com but not listed
#15 DB Javaris Davis
#30 DB Matthew Jackson

[gobombersgo]

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

109 players listed on training camp roster

includes
#7 QB Cole Anseeuw - U Sports intern, U of M (also at 2025 TC)
#78 Rec Jerome Penner - Winnipeg Rifles (invited to camp in 2025)

On roster at bluebombers.com but not listed
#15 DB Javaris Davis
#30 DB Matthew Jackson

Wonder what happened to the big DT they borrowed from the Rifles for TC last year?

[LXTSN]

I'm dying for an update on rookie camp 

[LXTSN]

Daniels #73 listed as a running back... interesting.

Running Backs / Tight Ends
I'm hoping they can use him successfully. I think there's a time and place where he can be a huge asset.
In a game where the field is so big, speed is the most important thing. Now having the biggest guy on the field can be a big advantage too.

[Jesse]

Running Backs / Tight Ends
I'm hoping they can use him successfully. I think there's a time and place where he can be a huge asset.
In a game where the field is so big, speed is the most important thing. Now having the biggest guy on the field can be a big advantage too.

If he's used the way that Walters' described, we're going to see the return of the TE in the CFL taking advantage of the tiny LBs that have proliferated.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

If he's used the way that Walters' described, we're going to see the return of the TE in the CFL taking advantage of the tiny LBs that have proliferated.

It does make sense, some teams are using a 6th O-lineman on the majority of plays and pushing receivers into full time blocking roles they probably hate.  Might as well use a big TE that can run a pattern and catch and is better equipped to block.

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers Rookie Camp | Day 1

Ed Tait
@EdTaitWFC

Taylor Elgersma was stationed in front of a group of media following the first day of Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie training camp dutifully answering questions.

And as the scene was unfolding it was impossible not to be struck by one thing: this is a size large man, and especially so as a quarterback.

Or, as head coach Mike O'Shea put it: "He's big. He's a big dude, that's for sure. It is shocking when you meet him personally."

Now, just for the record Elgersma doesn't quite stretch into the stratosphere like Willie Jefferson, nor is he big enough to blot out the sun like Gabe Wallace. But at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds the rookie Canadian pivot certainly pops out physically.

Close to 60 Blue Bombers rookies were on the field on a chilly Wednesday morning, including all six quarterbacks in veterans Zach Collaros and Terry Wilson, 2025 UFL MVP Bryce Perkins, former Michigan State/Auburn star Payton Thorne, Elgersma, and Cole Anseewu of the University of Manitoba.

There's clearly a certain fascination about Elgersma from everyone in Bomberland. He was selected by the club in the second-round of last year's CFL Canadian Draft after an outstanding college career at Wilfrid Laurier that included winning the Hec Crighton Trophy before being signed by the Green Bay Packers and seeing action in last year's preseason.

Physically, he certainly comes as advertised and then some. And while it's a teeny-tiny sample size, during Wednesday's session he absolutely flashed the arm strength that has long had raised the eyebrows of scouts on both sides of the border.

Afterward, Elgersma spoke of learning from each of the guys in the Blue Bombers QB room, including Collaros with all his CFL success and experience, Perkins as a Super Bowl champ during his days with the Los Angeles Rams, Thorne from his time in the NCAA and last year in camp with the Cincinnati Bengals and Wilson, who is entering his third year with the team.

"We all have unique paths," he said, "and it's about how we can all learn from each other and pull in the same direction because we're all here to help the Winnipeg Blue Bombers win a Grey Cup."

That answer above is also a peek at the polish Elgersma brings in front of the cameras, microphones and notepads. He spoke confidently and with an ease and, remember, this is a player who would still be dubbed a prospect despite this already being his sixth professional camp — three as part of the CFL's Quarterback Internship Program (twice with Toronto, once with Hamilton), along with last year with the Packers and this winter with the Birmingham Stallions.

All those experiences mean the 24-year-old London, Ont. has hardly arrived here in Winnipeg as a prototypical wide-eyed rookie.

"I'm a rookie but it's nice to have those experiences to lean on," Elgersma said. "I know what it's like to go through training camps and digest installs (offensive playbook) fast. That's something I can do to be a leader in this locker room, too, with some of the young guys who are doing this for the first time. Can I meet with them after, can we find time to meet as a group and show them some tips that I've learned on how to digest these playbooks fast."

A lot of this, of course, is just outside noise, too. Elgersma has to know the spotlight is brighter on him because of his accomplishments and because of his birth certificate, too, and his place in a league still craving more Canadian QBs like B.C.'s Nathan Rourke and Tre Ford in Hamilton.

Yet, every prospect truly has to put on the blinders — especially in training camp — and embrace the daily grind.

"Every single time you play football you're in a battle," said Elgersma. "Whether you think you're secure or you're not we're playing pro football, so you're always battle for your spot.

"The best thing you can do is, 'What can I do better tomorrow than I didn't do well today?' What coaching points can I take away today when we watch film and then don't make the same mistakes tomorrow. If you do that for your entire career, you're going to end up in a good situation.

"Look at a guy like Zach, that's how he approaches the game and that's what I want to do as well."

Let's not overlook the fascination with someone like Perkins in Blue Bombers training camp, either.

It turns out the 29-year-old Queen Creek, AZ product has some serious CFL and Winnipeg connections — his father Bruce played with O'Shea during their days together in Hamilton (1993-94) and considers both Chris Streveler and Terry Wilson, offseason workout partners, as friends.

He came north to Winnipeg rather than pursue another year in the UFL, in part, because of the CFL's stability.

"My dad played for Hamilton and he told me they love their CFL ball up here and that's what you want to play for," he said. "And with all the changes in the UFL it felt like with where I'm at in my career... I wanted to be part of a league, a team, an organization, that really gets behind their football that is a long-standing league that loves ball and the guys are great.

"It's a fun, new challenge for me."

NEXT: Day 2 of Blue Bombers rookie camp goes Thursday from 10 a.m.-12:15 at Princess Auto Stadium and is open to the public.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/05/06/blue-bombers-rookie-camp-day-1/

[Tecno]

All the TC videos posted by gobombersgo are awesome.  The newest QBs look/sound pretty promising.

Nice to finally be back into the mode of getting regular vids from WFC.  The new season is upon us!

[BomberFan73]

Haha.....I just noticed we have 3 Smiths at LB, and another Smith at WR