Blue Bombers defensive back Cam Allen has been one of standouts at training camp; photos by Cameron Bartlett
It was early in Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camp, and so it was still all about introductions and about putting jersey numbers to new names.
So many new names. So many new numbers.
And as practice ended that day and everyone exited the field, a media type approached a prospect who had already removed his shoulder pads and asked if he was a player he had requested for an interview.
“No,” the player began, his facing widening with a grin. “My name is Cam Allen. You’ll know all about me — about No. 35 — soon.”
So, we know this already about Cam Allen, No. 35 — he’s a bit of a prophet because now more than a week into training camp and the Purdue University product has had many observers cross-referencing his name and number out there as the guy constantly making plays as he fights not just for a roster spot, but perhaps a starting gig somewhere in the secondary.
“Smart. Good communicator. Around the ball a lot,” said head coach Mike O’Shea on the weekend when asked for an assessment on Allen. “He seems to be stepping into a leadership role or at least recognizing opportunities to lead and is trying to be good with that.
“He’s come in with a few of these attributes that the defence is going to really like.”
So much of Allen’s positive first impression has been born from this simple fact: a year away from the game can make a guy love it even that much more. Cut adrift by the Denver Broncos about a year ago after their rookie minicamp, that experience has given him that big-picture perspective on pursuing a dream while the window is still open.
“Man, I’m just very grateful and very blessed to have this opportunity to come out here and play ball,” said Allen in a conversation with bluebombers.com. “It’s been since Denver’s rookie minicamp last year that I’ve been on the field, since I’ve been able to touch cleats to grass.
“So, just to be able to play some ball again and coming in here with all these coaches and players and new teammates who are my brothers now — to be able to around a group of guys who love to do what I do and we’re all here for the same purpose — that’s unbelievable.
“When I got the bad news from the Broncos that day last year… honestly, I think about that every day. Every single day I wake up I think about that day and those days I didn’t have an opportunity until I signed here. Now that opportunity is here. I love it.”
Born in Bluefield, Va, Allen spent most of the last year in and around his college facility at Purdue training and working. At the same time, his absence from the game only made his passion for it grow stronger.
That passion has translated to the training field here in Winnipeg.
“I got my license to be in life insurance over the last year,” he said. “But in my head, I’m a straight sports guy and I didn’t even want to get into a job. Still, when real life hits you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to provide for your family.
“Then this opportunity came it was time for me to get back to real-real work and get back into football shape. I know football is not going to last forever but I’m still in that mindset that I’m going to play football until I’m six feet under. That’s just how I feel.
“I love football that much and that’s why I’m out here doing whatever the coaches ask, because I want to level up every single day.”
Signed in mid-February, Allen spent much of the winter and spring watching film and studying CFL games on YouTube to understand how the ‘Waggle’ works and where receivers like to break off their routes.
That study has helped him here in camp. The next step is to begin showing it Saturday at Princess Auto Stadium against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the first preseason game.
“Man, I can’t wait,” he said. “I haven’t played a game since 2023 against Indiana at home — my last home game in college. It’s definitely going to be different. There’s a lot of rookies like me who haven’t been playing in a while so that’s our opportunity to go out there and show the coaches what we can do whenever we get the opportunity.
“When I first got here, I just wanted to come in and do my job, show I’m responsible and that I am just one of 12 out here. Once you’re one of 12, it’s about helping out those around you because not everybody is going to have a perfect day. We’re going to have mess ups.
“My goal was to show the coaches that I love ball, for real. I’m going to be around the ball all the time. You’re going to see me run and be around the ball all the time. I want to be on that TV screen. I want everybody to be able to see that 3-5 on the screen when the ball is there and when the ball is in the air it’s got to be mine.”
WELCOME BACK, SCHOEN: The big news Monday was the return of Dalton Schoen to the practice field. One of the CFL’s most-dominant players in 2022-23, the veteran receiver missed all but 2 1/2 games last year after suffering a season-ending knee injury.
And he looked superb in his first day back.
“I’ve had a couple opportunities to play catch with him just outside of camp and practice and he looks fantastic,” said quarterback Zach Collaros. “It’s a big lift. Anytime you can add leadership back into the equation, it’s huge. His talent speaks for itself. You could tell he was excited himself, so I’m really happy for him.”
Schoen wasn’t available post-practice for interviews, but we did speak of his importance to the Blue Bombers offence when he re-signed back in February in this piece:
Collaros reaffirmed that after practice on Monday.
“He’s paramount,” he said. “The numbers speak for themselves over his time in this league. Most of the time — if not all of the time — he’s the smartest guy on the field. He understands what defences do, he understands what we’re doing, what spot he needs to get to, time and space — he understands all those things. And there’s the tangible stuff he brings to the game — his speed, his catch radius, his strength, his understanding of the game are just off the charts.
“I think you guys know how I feel about him so it’s great to have him back out there. He does so much for us and he’s a great player.”
REST IN PIECE, STU: Sad news on the weekend with the passing of long-time high school football coach Stu Nixon, who tutored so many especially during his days at Grant Park and Oak Park High School. Nixon coached CFLers like Andrew Harris, Brady Oliveira, Sean Jamieson and Nic Demski and was loved by so many.
“It’s tough. I knew Stu all the way back to my Charleswood Broncos days when we would do the Raiders-Broncos football camp,” said an emotional Demski after practice Monday. “That’s a guy I wanted to play for as a little kid. My goal was to play for Oak Park High School and play for Stu Nixon and when I finally got there it was a great relationship. We had a lot of success there together and a lot of great memories.
“Even after high school, he still stayed in my life. It’s definitely a tough one to swallow when you lose a gem like that.
NEXT: Tuesday’s session goes at the field beside WSF South (211 Chancellor Matheson Road) from 9 a.m. -12:25 p.m. All practices are open to the public unless otherwise noted.
