Photo credit: globalnews.ca
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers made a notable impact during the 2025 CFL Draft, significantly elevating the team’s potential by making strategic selections, notably waiting until the third pick to showcase their ambition.
With their 18th pick, the Bombers welcomed quarterback Taylor Elgersma from Wilfrid Laurier. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 235 pounds, Elgersma earned the prestigious Hec Crighton Trophy in 2024, recognizing him as the top player in U Sports football. His impressive performance led Laurier to the Vanier Cup, where he accumulated over 10,000 passing yards and 78 touchdowns throughout his collegiate career.
Remarkably, Elgersma was only the second U Sports player invited to participate in the East-West game, which predominantly features NCAA athletes. Although the Bombers have a solid starting quarterback in Zach Collaros for the upcoming season, they may need to wait for Elgersma’s transition, as he has received rookie camp invitations from both the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills.
The Bombers addressed their immediate needs by selecting two linebackers in the earlier rounds to fortify a roster that required strengthening in this key area. With their first-round choice (sixth overall), they picked linebacker Connor Shay, who stands 6 feet 2 inches and weighs 232 pounds. Shay brought significant experience from his time at Wyoming, where he became a starter in his final college year, wrapping up the 2024 season with 76 tackles. His versatility on special teams further aligns with the Bombers’ preferences.
Shay also has a rookie mini-camp invitation from the New York Jets, indicating that the Bombers may have to await his arrival as well.
In the second round (15th overall), the Bombers acquired Jaylen Smith from North Texas. Weighing 230 pounds and standing 5 feet 11 inches tall, Smith recorded an impressive 106 tackles during his final NCAA season. Notably, TSN CFL analyst Paul LaPolice praised Smith for his practice performance, a trait that resonates with the Bombers’ values. Once in Winnipeg, both Shay and Smith will join current Canadian linebackers Shayne Gauthier and Tanner Cadwallader.
The Bombers continued to build their roster in the third round, selecting offensive lineman Ethan Vibert from South Dakota State. At 6 feet 4 inches and 310 pounds, Vibert contributed significantly over six years with the Jackrabbits, appearing in 14 games.
Positioning themselves strategically with two fifth-round picks due to a prior trade, the Bombers chose wide receiver Joey Corcoran from New Hampshire and linebacker Lane Novak from Saskatchewan. Corcoran, measuring 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 208 pounds, showcased his talent with 39 receptions for 459 yards and four touchdowns in his senior season. Meanwhile, Novak delivered solid performances, amassing 31 tackles for the Huskies in 2024.
In the sixth round, the Bombers selected defensive back Ethan Ball from Regina. Ball, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 190 pounds, initially started at North Dakota before transferring to the University of Calgary, where he recorded 27 tackles and two passes defended last season.
The seventh round saw the Bombers adding defensive lineman Trey Laing from Eastern Michigan. Laing, who stands at 6 feet 3 inches and weighs 243 pounds, entered the draft later than others. He is the son of Trace Laing, who hails from Mississauga, Ontario, and had a brief career in the CFL.
Finally, in the eighth round, the Bombers secured offensive lineman Iwinosa Uwubanmwen, measuring 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 290 pounds, from the University of Alberta. Uwubanmwen still has two years of U Sports eligibility ahead of him.
As the Bombers gear up, the clock is ticking on their newly drafted players, who will have to quickly acclimate as rookie camp kicks off on May 7.
Source
globalnews.ca