The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were looking to fill some small holes with their 10 selection in this year’s draft. He ended up being the star of the CFL Combine, the smallest player in the draft, and a top-10 prospect from the CFL Central scouting list.
The Bombers started the night with the 8th overall pick. They packaged it with their third-round pick in a trade with the Calgary Stampeders. The Bombers got the 13th and 14th picks back. And when he finally chose, the Bombers got some help for the league’s top offense.
They selected receiver Kevens Clercius at 13th overall. Clercius has good size and weighs in at 6-foot-2, 217 pounds, but hasn’t had much production in college. He had 49 catches in three seasons at the University of Connecticut. He could provide depth behind Nick Demski and Drew Wolitarski.
At 14th overall, they selected running back Michael Chris-Ike from Delaware State. Chris-Ike shined at the combine, posting the fastest times in the 40-yard dash (4.51), 3-cone (6.71) and short shuttle (4.19).
At 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, he has a big body for a CFL back. And Chris-Ike has significant special teams experience, which head coach Mike O’Shea will undoubtedly love.
Offensive lineman Gabe Wallace was his choice at age 17. At 6’6, 333 pounds he started 28 games at guard and nine more at tackle at the University at Buffalo. The Bombers had seven offensive linemen on the roster for every game last season. If they do that again, Wallace will get a chance to play every week.
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In the 5th round, the Bombers selected offensive lineman Giovani Manu from UBC. He was ranked eighth in the CFL’s scouting bureau rankings. Manu lasted so long because he was a fourth-round selection by the Detroit Lions in last week’s NFL Draft. With him going so high in the NFL Draft you would expect it to be several years before the Bombers get a chance to sign him.
The smallest player taken in this year’s draft was Bison receiver Ake Gassama. The Bombers selected Vincent Massey grad in the sixth round (55th overall). The 5’9, 158-pound Gassama may be a small package, but he packs a punch. He is a two-time U Sports All Canadian. He had 38 receptions for 465 yards and four touchdowns for the Bison last season.
The Bombers had a total of 10 picks:
Second round (20th overall): DT Kyle Samson, UBC
6-3, 290 pounds, 23 years old. He played 25 games in his Canada West career. He was a second-team All-Canadian in 2022 and 2023. He joins the crowd at the Canadiens defensive tackle spot – starters Jake Thomas, Cam Lawson and Tanner Schmekel all saw snaps there last season.
Fourth round (37th overall): Long snapper Ian Leroux, Laval
6’1”, 225 lbs, 24 years old. According to 3DownNation’s Jesse Abbott, Leroux intends to return to school for the 2024 season. Leroux could be Mike Benson’s replacement in the future. Benson turns 37 this month and has played in 139 regular season games.
5th Round (40th overall): OL Ethan Kalra, Waterloo
6’2″, 309 pounds, 24 years old. Started all 29 games in his U Sports career. Kalra earned a spot at the National Combine after showing strong performances at the Invitational Combine. Both of his parents were rugby players in university. His Looking forward to returning to school.
7th round (64th overall): OL Michael Vlahogiannis, McGill.
6’3”, 312 lbs, 25 years old. Played center and long snapper in university.
8th round (73rd overall): DE Owen Hubert, McMaster
6’4”, 263 lbs, 24 years old. He had 5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss last season.
Bomber Beginner Camp begins Wednesday, May 8th.
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