Trey Vaval turned an opportunity during last year's rookie camp into a season that saw him named the CFL's top rookie and special teams player; photo by Cameron Bartlett
It is a seven-hour audition spread out over three days and with a definite ‘outwit, out play, outlast’ Survivor-type feel to it all.
One mistake, after all, could be critically devastating, just as one shining moment might make a massive positive first impression.
So, given all that — the high stakes involved with potential future employment very much hanging in the balance — Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie camp annually serves as both a gruelling, cutthroat job interview and compelling theatre.
Case in point: Blue Bombers rookies will be on the field Wednesday morning for the first of three practice sessions and by the time Friday rolls around some of them may soon be on the highway, what with main training camp starting Sunday morning and the roster needing to be set at 85, not including 2026 CFL Canadian Draft picks. By next Tuesday, that number needs to be at 75 — again not including draft picks.
As of this writing there are 107 players on the Blue Bombers roster so very soon it will be a case of the math ain’t mathing for some.
All that said, there is opportunity here for some of the newcomers.
Familiar faces gone from last year’s roster include quarterbacks Chris Streveler and Chase Artopoeus, receivers Dillon Mitchell, Jerreth Sterns, Keric Wheatfall and Dalton Schoen, centre Chris Kolankowski, defensive linemen Jake Thomas, James Vaughters, Devin Adams and Jamal Woods, linebacker Shayne Gauthier and defensive backs Demerio Houston, Jamal Parker, Jr., Dexter Lawson, Jr. and Terrell Bonds.
The club was busy over the winter in free agency, adding defensive tackle Jake Ceresna, offensive tackle Jarell Broxton, receivers Tim White and Tommy Nield, linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox along with defensive backs Jonathan Moxey, Deandre Lamont and Alijah McGhee.
Cam Allen (0) in action last season against Ottawa
All that said, there is opportunity here. Every spring brings change, just as Trey Vaval — the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie last year — along with Jaiden Woodbey, Cam Allen, Jaylen Smith, Connor Shay, Ethan Ball, Matthew Peterson, Lane Novak and Ian Leroux all made the club and significant contributions last year after stepping up in rookie and main training camp.
As rookie camp opens a nugget worth noting: two of the Blue Bombers 2026 CFL Canadian Draft class — defensive end Nuer Gatkuoth (first round, fourth overall) and offensive lineman Kevin Cline (second round, 20th overall) — will not be present. Gatkuoth is expected as soon as this weekend after attending rookie minicamp with the Denver Broncos while Cline could be a while, as he has signed with the Miami Dolphins and will be at their main training camp this summer.
The Blue Bombers open their preseason on Saturday, May 23rd in Saskatoon vs. the Saskatchewan Roughriders and then are home on Friday, May 29th against the B.C. Lions for their final dress rehearsal.
Winnipeg opens the 2026 regular season on Friday, June 5th in Calgary against the Stampeders and will then be in front of their fans for the home opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Thursday, June 11th.
Here’s a quick primer to get Blue Bombers fans ready for rookie camp…
WHO TO WATCH
Names passed along by Blue Bombers crack scouting staff (in no particular order)
Bryce Perkins
#9 Bryce Perkins, QB: He’s 29 and was the UFL’s MVP last year and has a start and a Super Bowl ring from his days with the Los Angeles Rams. So, technically, he’s a rookie in name only. All of that pro experience makes him one of the more fascinating players to track in the weeks ahead.
#73 Dante Daniels, TE: We told you the story of the Blue Bombers second-round draft pick last week and the club’s management/coaching staff is clearly intrigued to have a 6-5, 272-pound tight end/fullback in their offensive arsenal.
#54 Micah Mazzccua, OL: Massive prospect at 6-5, 325 pounds who played guard at Nebraska, Florida and Baylor. If he’s as solid as the scouts believe, he could be one of many who pushes the club to start three Americans along the offensive line.
#13 Taylor Elgersma, QB: The big Canadian QB really needs no introduction to Blue Bombers fans at this point as the former Hec Crighton Trophy winner who was selected by the club in last year’s draft and then spent time with the Green Bay Packers and Birmingham Stallions. We’ll get our first look at him Wednesday, fuelling an already fascinating storyline.
#72 Dorian Singer, WR: Had a long look last year from the Jacksonville Jaguars after spending his college days with Utah, USC and Arizona. Receiving depth is always a must in our league.
#58 David Reese, DE: He’s got 56 collegiate games to his name over eight years, with injuries giving him two more years of eligibility. Started every game at Syracuse last year and has posted 13.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in his career at Syracuse, Cal and Florida.
#50 Johnny Hodges, LB: Had a look last year from the Los Angeles Chargers. Was named the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and Second-Team All-Big 12 during his days at Texas Christian.
#17 Jordan Taylor, DB: The Blue Bombers have always had a knack for finding quality DBs. Taylor will be one of many trying to prove he’s the next one. Was in rookie minicamp last year with the Las Vegas Raiders.
#36 Robert Javier, DB: Good size at 6-1, 195, Javier has spent time in Saskatchewan after playing in three preseason games with the Tennessee Titans in 2024.
#89 Key’Shawn Smith, WR: Appeared in three preseason games last year with the Kansas City Chiefs. Also a returner.
THE QBS
Terry Wilson
The spots behind Zach Collaros on the QB depth chart are very much up for grabs. Perkins and Elgersma are mentioned above, and they join veteran Terry Wilson and newcomer Payton Thorne — who started games at Michigan State and Auburn before attending camp with the Cincinnati Bengals last summer.
Also joining the club for camp as part of the Canadian QB Internship Program for a second year will be Cole Anseeuw of the University of Manitoba.
Further Camp Reading
Links to positional previews previously on bluebombers.com. Check them out here:
PRACTICE TIMES
All rookie camp practices are taking place at Princess Auto Stadium and are open to the public (times are approximate):
Wednesday, May 6 – 10:30 a.m.- 12:55 p.m.
Thursday, May 7 – 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Friday, May 8 – 10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 9 – Medical/testing, no practice
Main camp
Sunday, May 10 – 9 a.m.-11:40 a.m.
