Winnipeg Blue Bombers before the Labour Day game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, SK. Sunday, September 4, 2016. (Photo: Johany Jutras)
WINNIPEG, MB., October 4, 2017 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has added quarterbacks Josh Straughan and David Washington, defensive backs Jordan Bowman and Antoine Tharpe, linebacker Jevaris Jones, and (national) defensive tackle Ian Marouf.
Straughan (6-2, 203, Southern Illinois University, May 2, 1994 in Colton, WA) played one season with the Salukis, starting eight games, after transferring from Division II Stillman College. He threw for 2,429 yards and 15 touchdowns while only throwing four interceptions.
Washington (6-3, 210, Old Dominion University, September 15, 1994 in Raleigh, N.C.) played four seasons with the Old Dominion University Monarchs, including starting 16 games at wide receiver. In his senior season, he started all 13 games at quarterback and threw for 2,836 yards, 31 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He was also named a Conference USA Honorable Mention.
Bowman (6-0, 210, California University of Pennsylvania, October 28, 1994 in Harrisburg, PA) played in all 44 games over four seasons with the Vulcans. He made 170 tackles and added 13 interceptions in his collegiate career and was selected to the All-PSAC West Second-Team in his senior season.
Tharpe (5-10, 175, University of Massachusetts, July 16, 1992 in Lauderhill, FL) played four seasons with the Minutemen, including 11 games in his senior season where he recorded 49 tackles. For the last three years, Tharpe has played in the Indoor Football League, most recently for the Spokane Empire.
Jones (6-1, 228, Shorter University, January 18, 1995 in Griffin, GA) played three seasons with the Hawks. Amongst his 235 career tackles, he made 106 in his final season and finished second in Division II with 80 solo tackles. Jones signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent this May, but was later waived.
Marouf (6-3, 210, University of Guelph, March 28, 1992 in Fort Erie, ON) was drafted by the Bombers in the sixth round, 50th overall, in the 2017 CFL Draft. After playing just one season with the University of Guelph Gryphons, Marouf played with the Hamilton Hurricanes in the Canadian Junior Football League during the 2015/2016 season and recorded 25 tackles in seven games.
The team has also released international defensive back Zavian Bingham from the practice roster.
