Bombers sign All-Canadian punter Chris MacLean, two others

Photo courtesy: Chris Lindsey/Dinos Athletics

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are continuing to add competition to their kicking room, signing University of Calgary punter Chris MacLean.

The Brampton, Ont. native was named a first-team All-Canadian in 2022 after averaging over 46.5 yards per punt through eight games. Of his 67 punts on the season, 25 travelled more than 50 yards while 11 pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line. He also made one field goal from 27 yards out and connected on all four of his extra-point attempts.

MacLean transferred to Calgary after spending the previous three seasons at the University of Toronto. In 14 games, he averaged 40.8 yards per punt and landed 20 kicks inside the 20. He also connected on 9-of-14 field goals in 2021, earning second-team OUA all-star honours but going unselected in the 2022 CFL Draft. He began his university career at Guelph, where he redshirted in 2017.

The Bombers also added a pair of American linebackers to the roster in Nate Givhan and Gee Stanley.

Givhan spent six seasons at the University of Toledo (2017-2022), playing 47 games as an outside linebacker. The six-foot-four, 245-pound edge rusher amassed 97 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception with the Rockets.

Stanley began his collegiate career at Robert Morris University, where he was named Northeast Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016 after collecting 59 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and three forced fumbles as a freshman. After sitting out the 2017 season, he attended Coffeyville Community College before transferring to Emporia State in 2019. In two seasons, the six-foot-two, 195-pound linebacker registered 132 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions in 23 games.