The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed eight members of their 2024 CFL Draft class to entry-level contracts, including receivers Kevens Clercius and AK Gassama, offensive linemen Gabe Wallace, Ethan Kalra, Michael Vlahogiannis, defensive linemen Kyle Samson and Owen Hubert, and long snapper Ian Leroux.
Clercius was the team’s first selection this year, going 13th overall in the second round following a trade back by the club. The native of Montreal appeared in 37 games over three years with the UConn Huskies, pulling in 49 passes for 604 yards and five touchdowns while also playing a significant role on special teams.
Wallace was taken with the 17th overall pick in the second round after dressing for 49 career games over six seasons with the University at Buffalo. A three-year starter, he appeared in 28 games at guard, seven games at left tackle, and two games at right tackle while earning third-team All-MAC honours in 2022.
Samson was selected with the 20th overall pick, a bonus selection awarded to the Bombers for playing the second most Canadians last season. A two-time second-team All-Canadian at defensive tackle, he dressed for 33 career games with the UBC Thunderbirds over his four years and recorded 76 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and an interception.
Leroux is committed to returning to Laval next season after being taken 37th overall in the fourth round. In four seasons with the Rouge et Or, he has dressed for 29 games as the primary snapper, recording 14 tackles and one interception at linebacker.
Kalra was the Bombers’ first of two fifth-round picks, going 40th overall. He started in all 29 games of his four-year career with the Waterloo Warriors, playing both right guard and right tackle.
Gassama was raised in Winnipeg after immigrating as a refugee from Sierra Leone and was drafted 55th overall in the sixth round by his hometown team. A two-time All-Canadian at the University of Manitoba, he caught 98 passes for 1,444 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns in 29 games with the Bisons.
Vlahogiannis was selected with the 64th overall pick in the seventh round out of McGill University. He started 19 games at centre over four years for the Redbirds and was named a 2023 RSEQ all-star after helping McGill amass 1,193 rushing yards.
Hubert was the second last selection in the draft, going at pick 73 in the eighth round. He played four seasons with the McMaster Marauders and saw action in 27 games, recording 65 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and seven sacks.
The Bombers have yet to sign second-round running back Michael Chris-Ike as he takes advantage of rookie mini-camp opportunities in the NFL. Fifth-round pick Giovanni Manu is not expected to sign after he was selected in the fourth round by the Detroit Lions in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Blue Bombers will open the 2024 regular season by hosting the Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday, June 6. Rookie camp is slated to begin on Wednesday, May 8.
