Jackson Tachinski is back again in Blue Bombers camp -- this time as a receiver; photos by Cameron Bartlett
Those who know Jackson Tachinski in this town from his days at the University of Manitoba and Vincent Massey Collegiate before that won’t be the least bit surprised he’s all in — again — at chasing his pro football dream.
He’s been a star everywhere he’s played, after all, but most of all he’s an exceptional athlete with zero ego and backed by a unrelenting dedication and tireless work ethic.
Released just a few days ago by the Edmonton Elks, Tachinski — a converted quarterback now at receiver — was parachuted in by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Tuesday as their pass-catching corps has been hit by injury.
“It’s really cool to be here,” began Tachinski after practice on Tuesday as he faced a swarm of local media. “Hometown team, hometown stadium. Played university here. I know a lot of guys in the locker room; I’ve played with some of those guys. It’s just a blessing.
“It sucks to be cut. Nobody wants to be released like that. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to have a positive outlook on it and I just thought a door is closing but another is going to open. I’m happy this one opened and happy to be here.”
A star quarterback with the Bisons — he threw for 4,553 yards and rushed 1,305 yards, a program record for a pivot — while being named the Canada West Player of the Year in 2024.
He decided to make the switch to receiver at last year’s combine after CFL personnel told him it might be his best pathway to the pros.
FYI, we detailed his dedication to that switch at last year’s combine in Regina:
Tachinski is a player the Blue Bombers are certainly familiar with, as he was a two-time camp participant through the CFL’s Quarterback Internship Program. His older brother Xander, who played at McMaster University, has also been in Blue Bombers camp, too.
“He’s a helluva athlete. We get the benefit of knowing him personally and having him in here before. He’s a great add,” said Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea. “He’s been working at receiver and obviously he can still sling the ball, too. He gives you a couple different things you can look at. It’s great to have him in here. He’s a great kid, too, and a hard-working guy.
“He’s been working on it for a little bit. It certainly allows him to show up this morning, step on the field, hear a play call, hear a little tip about it, and run our plays right now with less guidance than bringing somebody else. He sees it and hears it from a quarterback’s perspective and now as a receiver, too. It gives him that versatility, and he can ease into it with more comfortability right away.”
Tachinski has also been on the radar for the Canadian National Men’s Flag Football team, FYI, and was recently in the camp here in Winnipeg under the tutelage of head coach Paul LaPolice. That’s potentially down the line, though. Right now, he’s pushed all his chips into the centre of the table with the Blue Bombers.
“I just want to show that I’m a physical guy. I just want to show that I can make plays,” he said. “I just want to show that I work hard, that I get in my books and I’m a smart guy. I just want to make a good impression.
“First day out here — I got here this morning and so I didn’t really know much, and it was kinda weird being out here on the field and not knowing much. But I’m going to get in my books tonight, I’ll get in the meetings and I’ll figure that out.
“… I just feel way more comfortable (compared to last year). Last year when I was running routes I was literally thinking about my footwork in the route… right, left, right or left, right, left. Now I’ve got my footwork down and I can actually read the defence and think about the play and what the quarterback’s reads are.”
Tachinski’s full interview can be found here:
