May 20, 2016
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers continue to chip away at locking up their 2016 Canadian Football League Draft class, today adding safety Taylor Loffler and linebacker Shayne Gauthier.
Those two, along with the announcement earlier this week that Zach Intzandt, Rupert Butcher and Frank Renaud had signed, means five of the eight players selected earlier this month are inked and ready to go for next week’s rookie camp.
GM Kyle Walters said Friday negotiations are continuing with the three remaining draft picks yet to sign: defensive lineman Trent Corney, offensive lineman Michael Couture and receiver Alex Vitt.
As a refresher, here’s a recap on the three that have signed and the comments Walters made on each back on draft night:
Loffler (6-3, 222 lbs, UBC) was a third-round selection (19th overall) and spent last year with the Thunderbirds after beginning his college career at Boise State. Voted the second-ranked prospect in Canada West (behind Manitoba’s David Onyemata) in a pre-draft poll of the conference’s coaches. Led Canada West with 42 solo tackles and added two interceptions. Missed the 2012 and 2014 seasons at Boise State with knee and hip injuries before joining UBC.
Walters, in discussing Loffler:
“He’s a very intriguing prospect. He’s had an interesting history; he’s been banged up throughout his career. He’s a mature, polished kid but he’s a pro ready to step in. Whether he’s a free safety or a linebacker, I’m not sure, but he’s long and athletic. There’s something about that guy… he just makes plays. There’s something intangible about what he brings when you are around him and meet him. You just feel there’s something about this young man.”
Gauthier (5-11, 218 lbs, Laval) was selected in the fourth round (28th overall) after four years with the Rouge et Or. Was a CIS Second Team All-Canadian last season as a senior and is a two-time RSEQ (Quebec conference) All-Star. Finished his CIS career with 130 tackles.
Walters, in discussing Gauthier:
“He’s a Tasmanian Devil out there on the field. He’s a good athlete. He ran a low 4.6 at 225 pounds and was a phenomenal linebacker and he makes his plays on energy and effort all the time. He’s going to be the kind of player that fans are immediately going to fall in love with. He’s a high-motor guy that has the athleticism to back it up.”
Loffler and Gauthier, along with Intzandt, Butcher and Renaud, will join the rest of the Blue Bomber rookies on the field on Wednesday, May 25. The first day of main training camp is Sunday, May 29.
