Blue Bombers sign Canadian OL Ben Koczwara, American DB Corey Straughter

Photo courtesy: Waterloo Athletics

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed Canadian offensive lineman Ben Koczwara and American defensive back Corey Straughter.

Koczwara was selected 67th overall in the 2018 CFL Draft by Winnipeg. He played four seasons with the Waterloo Warriors, appearing in 31 games. Koczwara participated in the 2017 U Sports East-West Bowl and was in Blue Bombers training camp in both 2018 and 2019.

The six-foot-three, 291-pound blocker was the first overall pick of the inaugural LFA Canadian draft in 2019 and spent time with the Argos in 2021.

Straughter went undrafted following three seasons at Louisiana-Monroe. A wrist injury limited him in his senior season to just three games, but he led the Sun Belt Conference with five interceptions and 15 passes defended in 2019 and recorded nine over his time in college.

The five-foot-ten, 185-pound cover man was signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars in May 2021 but was released at the end of August.