Blue Bombers select six players in the 2021 CFL Draft
WINNIPEG, MB., May 4, 2021 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers selected six players in the 2021 CFL Draft held tonight.
The Blue Bombers began the night by selecting Texas State offensive lineman Liam Dobson with the 3rd overall selection.
Dobson (6-3, 340, Texas State, February 6, 1998 in Ottawa, ON) played three seasons at Maine, appearing in 32 games with 27 starts. During Dobson’s 2019 season, he started all 12 games and was Maine’s highest-graded offensive lineman every game.
He was named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) first team and was also named to Phil Steele’s 2020 Pre-season All-CAA First Team. Dobson just completed a transfer to Texas State to finish his collegiate career in 2021.
With their second-round pick, 16th overall, Winnipeg selected Université de Montréal defensive back Redha Kramdi.
Kramdi (6-0, 188, Université de Montréal, December 22, 1996 in Montréal, QC) has been able to carve out a role for himself on both defence and special teams during his time at the University of Montreal.
In seven games played during the 2019 season, he finished with 32.5 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two pass breakups while helping the Carabins make it to the Vanier Cup.
During the 2018 season, he had 19 tackles, eight assists, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception. He was named an RSEQ Defensive All-Star for his efforts.
In the third round, 21st overall, the Blue Bombers selected University of North Carolina defensive back Patrice Rene.
Rene (6-2, 208, University of North Carolina, November 19, 1997, in Ottawa, ON) has spent the previous five years with the University of North Carolina.
Rene played in 10 of the Tar Heels’ games in 2020 — including the Orange Bowl against Texas A&M — totalling 28 tackles, two tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
Across 45 career games with the program, Rene has posted 104 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions, 14 pass defences, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Rene has transferred to Rutgers and will return to school in 2021.
In the fourth round, 34th overall the team selected University of Regina linebacker Robbie Lowes.
Lowes (6-1, 205, University of Regina, May 13, 1996 in Regina, SK) started all eight Canada West games in 2019 for the Regina Rams. He finished third on the team with a total of 35 tackles (29 solo, 12 assisted) and added an interception, a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles, and two blocked kicks.
In 2018, he dressed for all eight Canada West games for the Rams, starting each of the team’s final seven conference games. He finished fourth on the Rams in tackles (27 solo, 8 assisted) and had 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two pass breakups during the conference schedule.
In the fifth round, 39th overall, Winnipeg selected University of Regina running back Kyle Borsa.
Borsa (6-0, 200, University of Regina, November 2, 1998 in Regina, SK) has spent his entire U SPORTS career with his hometown Rams.
During his time with the program, the back posted 2,195 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns. In his first year with the program, Borsa finished with 855 all-purpose yards, serving as the Rams’ primary option on kick-off and punt returns.
During the 2018 campaign, Borsa played in eight games, starting in three of those contests. Despite that, he managed to post 613 yards and six majors on 96 carries.
In the sixth round, 48th overall, Winnipeg selected University of Manitoba defensive back Shae Weekes.
Weekes (5-11, 185, University of Manitoba, April 9, 1999 in St. Adolphe, MB) moved south and joined Division II Bemidji State for the 2020 season following three years at the University of Manitoba.
In his final year with the Bisons in 2019, Weekes had 33 total tackles, two tackles for loss, four interceptions, and a fumble recovery.
Weekes was named a Canada West All-Star and U SPORTS Second-Team All-Canadian on two occasions (2018, 2019).
