It’s a script and a plot line the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have seen before as they once again head into a training camp on the hunt for at least one nugget of receiver gold.

And everyone in Bomberland has their collective digits crossed the first few days of 2024 camp delivers the same star-in-the-making as it did two years ago when Dalton Schoen didn’t simply grab a starting role with the club, but became a dynamic scene stealer in his first Canadian Football League season.

As we continue with our Positional Preview series with our eyes on the receivers, the main focus for the Blue Bombers when rookie camp opens on May 8^th — and with the full squad on the field four days later — will be to find a replacement for the inspirational and fan favourite Rasheed Bailey.

Bailey pulled in 46 catches for 508 yards and six touchdowns last year and was often lauded for the dirty work he did in blocking and bringing a physical element to the receiving corps. Still, he was one of the victims of a salary cap squeeze this winter – especially after the team was able to re-sign both Schoen and running back Brady Oliveira before they hit the free-agent market — and he has since landed with the Toronto Argonauts, leaving a vacancy in the most-talented receiving group in the league.

Kenny Lawler, game-breaker extraordinaire

Four starters return from last year in Schoen, Kenny Lawler, Nic Demski and Drew Wolitarsky, giving the Blue Bombers a talented collection of game-breakers with Canadian and American passports. Lawler had 50 catches for 901 yards and six touchdowns in just 12 games, Demski eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career, while Wolitarsky set career highs in receptions (47), yards (668) and touchdowns (six).

And all Schoen has done is twice be named a CFL All-Star and be saluted as the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie in 2022 while pulling in 141 passes for 2,663 yards and 26 scores in just 34 games.

Schoen, you may recall, came into Blue Bombers camp two years ago with solid college credentials from Kansas State, but had to battle against a collection of receivers that was more than 25 just to land a roster spot.

Just for the record, as of this writing the Blue Bombers have 22 receivers – including vets – coming to camp next month all looking to repeat what Schoen did in his rookie season.

A brief look at the newcomers, with some of their stories to be told in further detail during camp:

-Tyler Adams – Spotted at Indianapolis Colts camp last summer by Winnipeg scouts.

-Peter Afful – Was in Kansas City Chiefs mini-camp a year ago; also a kick return candidate.

–Braxton Burmeister – A converted QB who played college ball at Oregon, Virginia Tech and San Diego State.

-Kody Case – Also attended Colts camp in ’23; South Dakota/Illinois product and another return candidate.

–Isiah Coulter – Fifth round selection of the Houston Texans in 2020 who played one game there and three more with the Chicago Bears in 2021.

–Aron Cruickshank – Dynamic returner from Rutgers who was the Big Ten’s Return Specialist of the Year in 2020.

-Jaylen Hall – Had a look last year in Edmonton after attending Philadelphia Eagles rookie camp.

-K.J. Hill – Holds the Ohio State all-time record for receptions with 201.

–Josh Johnson – University of Tulsa product scouted by the Bombers while with the Detroit Lions and Birmingham in the USFL. Add him to the list of returners.

–Oliver Martin – Was with the Jacksonville Jaguars for a spell last year and was part of the Blue Bombers practice roster expansion look last September.

–Bryce Mitchell – Former Toledo star appeared in 52 games over five years with the Rockets.

–Myron Mitchell – Another ex-Birmingham Stallions receiver who had a look from the Minnesota Vikings. Also a returner.

-Keytaon Thompson – Led Virginia in receiving in his final year of college before signing with Detroit and then the Orlando Guardians.

-Keric Wheatfall – Previous pro shots with the Eagles and then Philadelphia Stars of the USFL.

–Ontaria Wilson – Started 36 games at Florida State before a look from the Los Angeles Chargers.

And the bottom line after rolling through that list of names? If any one of them jumps off the page the way Schoen did as a rookie, then the Blue Bombers bird dogs of Danny McManus, Ted Goveia and Cyril Penn deserve a hefty finder’s fee.

Nic Demski, 1,000-yard man

POSITIONAL PREVIEW ‘24

The Receivers

The Returnees:

Starters: Dalton Schoen, Nic Demski*, Kenny Lawler, Drew Wolitarsky

Returning vets: Jeremy Murphy*, Ravi Alston, Ronnie Blackmon

Newcomers: Tyler Adams, Peter Afful, Braxton Burmeister, Kody Case, Isaiah Coulter, Aron Cruickshank, Jaylen Hall, K.J. Hill, Josh Johnson, Oliver Martin, Bryce Mitchell, Myron Mitchell, Keytaon Thompson, Keric Wheatfall, Ontaria Wilson

2024 CFL Draft picks: Kevens Clercius* (Rd 2, 13th overall); Abdul-Karim Gassama (Rd 6, 55th overall)

Departed: Rasheed Bailey (Toronto), Janarion Grant, Brendan O’Leary-Orange (Hamilton)

*Indicates Canadian

Keep an eye on:

WR #9, K.J. Hill

So many names on the receivers list, but it’s impossible to overlook Hill based on his production at the receiver factory that is Ohio State. His name tops a list that includes David Boston, Marvin Harrison, Jr., Chris Olave, Cris Carter and Garrett Wilson – among others.

A seventh-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020, he has 21 NFL games to his name.

Did you know?

This is a simply stunning statistic: 71 of Schoen’s 141 receptions over his first two years in the CFL have been second-down conversions.

Notable Number:

Demski’s career season made him the first Canadian receiver to hit the 1,000-yard mark since Gerald Wilcox had 69 receptions for 1,024 yards back in 1995.