The Winnipeg Blue Bombers made a huge splash with their first pick in the Canadian Football League Draft, cannon-balled into the prospect pool with their second selection and then crushed a reverse somersault with their third.
So, hell yeah, there is ton of joy in Bomberland today after their nine-player haul in Tuesday’s draft which has helped breathe some live into the club’s homegrown collection of talent. That haul delivered linebackers in Wyoming Connor Shay and Jaylen Smith of North Texas with the first two selections, highly touted quarterback Taylor Elgersma of Wilfrid Laurier with the third pick, followed in order by South Dakota State offensive lineman Ethan Vibert, New Hampshire receiver Joey Corcoran, linebacker Lane Novak of Saskatchewan, Calgary defensive back Ethan Ball, Eastern Michigan defensive lineman Trey Laing and Alberta O-lineman Iwinosa Uwubanmwen.
Shay had been ranked first overall on some mock drafts — and first on the Blue Bombers draft board — but fell as the teams ahead of Winnipeg opted to fill other positional needs. Adding Smith and Novak provides further depth at the linebacker position.
Drafting Elgersma is the headline grabber, as he is a Canadian pivot whose star is shining bright right now after a sensational season at Wilfrid Laurier that earned him the Hec Crighton Award and with the subsequent massive attention from the NFL.
He was the first of three quarterbacks to go off the board, followed by Kurtis Rourke to Saskatchewan (third round, 25th overall) and Jonathan Sénécal of the Université de Montréal by the Alouettes (7th round, 62nd overall).
“This is a special player and a unique opportunity for him,” said TSN’s Marshall Ferguson during the network’s draft coverage. “I love this fit with Winnipeg. I thought it was the best situation for him.
“… He’s got a fighter’s mentality; he plays angry to me; he’s got crazy arm talent. There’s a lot he has to learn, ‘Oh, hey, Zach Collaros can I watch you?’ If you want to come up to Winnipeg and learn to play the game professionally there’s nobody better in the CFL right now than Zach Collaros.”
The team added two offensive lineman and a receiver later in the draft but the priority heading into the evening was to bolster the homegrown depth on defence and that was certainly accomplished with three linebackers, a defensive back and a defensive end.
The Blue Bombers day began hours before the CFL Draft, as the club made a deal to move up six spots in the Global Draft to grab Kemari Munier-Bailey second overall. The English defensive end started all 12 games last year at Weber State.
The club dealt from a position of strength, moving defensive tackle Kyle Samson — a second-round pick a year ago — to move up in the Global draft, while also adding Alberta running back Matthew Peterson. Drafted in the fourth round last year by the Ticats, Peterson had 784 yards in six games last year for the Golden Bears before suffering an injury and was the Canada West Player of the Year in 2023, as well as a first-team All-Canadian.
We have completed a trade for running back Matthew Peterson, the 2nd overall pick in this year’s Global Draft and the 39th overall pick in the CFL Draft.#ForTheW pic.twitter.com/6TuH7bRuf7
— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) April 29, 2025
GM Kyle Walters is to meet with the media Wednesday to provide more detail about the club’s 2025 draft. In the meantime, here’s a more detailed look at the newest Blue Bombers:
THE NEW BLUE CREW
Connor Shay
Selected: Round 1, 6th overall
Position: linebacker
School: Wyoming
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 232
Notable: Had been listed No. 1 on a couple of CFL mock drafts… Born in California, Shay qualifies as a Canadian because his father was born in PEI… Started 12 games for the Cowboys last year and racked up 76 total tackles, including 45 solo and added 1.5 sacks, an interception and three pass knockdowns… Ran a 4.52 40 at his pro day… He’s been invited to the New York Jets rookie camp… Has drawn some comparisons to Alex Singleton, who was a star in Calgary before heading to the NFL.
Why he’s a good fit for the Blue Bombers: The Blue Bombers entered the draft with just two Canadian linebackers on the roster in veterans Shayne Gauthier (33) and Tanner Cadwallader (27) following the release of Max Charbonneau earlier this spring. Shay is the kind of player who should blossom in the Blue Bombers defensive system and under the tutelage of a legendary Canadian linebacker in head coach Mike O’Shea.
Jaylen Smith
Photo courtesy North Texas Athletics
Selected: Round 2, 15th overall
Position: linebacker
School: North Texas
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 230
Notable: Started all 12 games last year at North Texas and led the Mean Green in tackles with 97, which ranked third in the conference… Played all over the defence last season, lining up as an end, linebacker and occasionally on the edge of the secondary… Hamilton-born product who played HS ball in Connecticut and IMG Academy in Florida.
Why he’s a good fit for the Blue Bombers: It’s the positional versatility that jumps out with Smith, especially in Jordan Younger’s multi-faceted defence. He’ll instantly help on special teams and could get defensive reps, too. Landing him and Shay with the first two picks in this draft instantly provides Canadian depth at a position that had been thin entering the day.
Taylor Elgersma
Photo courtesy Christian Bender
Selected: Round 2, 18th overall
Position: Quarterback
School: Wilfrid Laurier
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 235
Notable: He’s the reigning Hec Crighton winner as the top player in U Sports after a sensational season in which he threw for 4,252 yards with 35 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the Golden Hawks… He was the first QB from a Canadian university to participate in the NCAA Senior Bowl and really popped off the page there, increasing the NFL interest in him instantly… Has had several NFL teams swirling around him after the draft and has rookie mini-camp invitations from Green Bay and Buffalo.
Why he’s a good fit for the Blue Bombers: The club’s QB room is crowded with Zach Collaros, Terry Wilson, Jake Dolegala, Chris Streveler, Shea Patterson and now Elgersma — if he comes to Winnipeg this year. Collaros is 36 and entering the final year of his current contract and would be an excellent mentor to Elgersma, as would Streveler, who already tutors young QBs in the offseason. Elgersma will draw a ton of attention because of his passport, but he’s got a cannon for an arm and oodles of potential.
Ethan Vibert
Photo courtesy South Dakota State
Selected: Round 3, 27th overall
Position: offensive guard
School: South Dakota State
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 310
Notable: Regina product who played guard for the Jackrabbits and has had some work at centre… Was a named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll five times… Played for U18 Team Canada in 2019.
Why he’s a good fit for the Blue Bombers: He’s been described as a mauler and a brawler and with centre Chris Kolankowski and guard Pat Neufeld both in their 30s Vibert could be part of a Canadian succession plan along with Gabe Wallace and Tui Eli.
Joey Corcoran
Photo courtesy UNH Athletics
Selected: Round 5, 39th overall
Position: New Hampshire
School: Receiver
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 208
Notable: Montreal product who played 12 games at UNH and finished third on the club with 459 yards on 39 receptions for four TDs. Also returned punts.
Why he’s a good fit for the Blue Bombers: The Blue Bombers start two Canadian receivers in Nic Demski and Kevens Clercius and added former Edmonton draft pick and Manitoba Bisons product Gavin Cobb in free agency. Corcoran helps with the depth at that spot, especially with the team moving on from Jeremy Murphy after last season (he signed with Ottawa and then retired).
Lane Novak
Photo courtesy Huskie Athletics
Selected: Round 5, 45th overall
Position: linebacker
School: Saskatchewan
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 229
Notable: Played four years at Saskatchewan and had 25 solo tackles, including two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one interception in his senior year… Was the Huskies Football Rookie of the Year in 2020 and earned U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian honors in the 2020–2021 academic year… He also contributed to Team Saskatchewan’s back-to-back Canada Cup championships in 2018 and 2019.
Why he’s a good fit for the Blue Bombers: More depth at the position and another potential special teams demon.
Ethan Ball
Photo courtesy David Moll/Calgary Dinos
Selected: Round 6, 54th overall
Position: Safety/halfback
School: Calgary/North Dakota
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 190
Notable: Regina product who played 32 games from 2020-23 at North Dakota before playing last year in Calgary. Injuries limited him to five games with the Dinos last year.
Why he’s a good fit for the Blue Bombers: Provides potential depth in the air defence and should be a contributor on special teams for coordinator Mike Miller.
Trey Laing
Photo courtesy Walt Middleton/Eastern Michigan Athletics
Selected: Round 7, 63rd overall
Position: defensive end
School: Eastern Michigan
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 243
Notable: His dad Tracy had a stint with the Argos in the 90s… Bounced around in college, moving from South Florida to East Mississippi Community College to Souther, to Indiana and finally Eastern Michigan… Played in 12 games last year with 10 sacks, 5.5 tackles for losses and 2.5 sacks… Missed all of 2023 due to injury.
Why he’s a good fit for the Blue Bombers: He was productive in college and gives the clubs some potential Canadian depth at end, along with Brock Gowanlock.
Iwinosa Uwubanmwen
Selected: Round 8, 71st overall
Position: offensive line
School: Alberta
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 290
Notable: Calgary product who is expected to go back to Alberta after attending camp this year… Played just one game for the Golden Bears last season so the details on him are thin and is entering his third year of eligibility.
Why he’s a good fit for the Blue Bombers: More Canadian depth at a spot that had been thinned with the departure of Liam Dobson to the Ticats.
GLOBAL DRAFT SELECTIONS
Kemari Munier-Bailey
Photo courtesy Weber State
Selected: Round 1, second overall
Position: Defensive end
School/last club: Weber State
Ht: 6-3; Wt: 230
FYI: Product of Birmingham, England who split his college career between Idaho (2021-22), Fresno State (2023) and Weber State (2024). Started all 12 games last year and was named to the FCS Central All-American Third Team and All-Big Sky second team honours… Had 18.5 tackles for a loss and nine sacks last year… Played just one season of high school in Utah… Also an outstanding basketball player who was a member of Great Britain’s junior national team.
James Evans
Photo courtesy Hoosier Athletics
Selected: Round 2, 17th overall
Position: Punter
School/last club: Indiana University
Ht: 6-1; Wt: 217
FYI: Born in Auckland, New Zealand… Appeared in all 13 games for the Hoosiers last year as the punter and holder on placekicks. Finished with a 42.4-yard average and placed 11 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line… Academic All-Big Ten last year… Trained at ProKick Australia — the same program that helped current Blue Bombers punter Jamieson Sheahan — before heading to the U.S.
