Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign four CFL Draft picks, plus undrafted free agent Carter Hooper

Photo courtesy: Adam Pearson/South Dakota Athletics

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed four members of their 2026 CFL Draft class, plus an undrafted free agent, ahead of the opening of training camp.

Tight end Dante Daniels, receiver Joshua Jack, linebackers Charles-Elliot Bouliane and Brody Clark, and defensive lineman Carter Hooper have all inked rookie deals with the team.

Daniels was selected with the 10th overall pick at the top of the second round after the team traded up to get him, sacrificing a second-round selection in 2027. The six-foot-six, 271-pound target caught 10 passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns over two seasons at NC State University, serving primarily as a blocker. The Windsor, Ont., native previously attended Butler Community College, becoming a sought-after transfer recruit.

Bouliane was taken with the 24th overall pick in the third round. The five-foot-11, 229-pound linebacker was a two-time RSEQ all-star at the Université de Montréal and was named an All-Canadian on special teams in 2023. Over 39 career games with the Carabins, he made 122 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, seven sacks, one forced fumble, three pass deflections, and one interception.

Clark was selected with the 42nd overall pick in the fifth round. The Delta, B.C., native appeared in 11 games over two seasons at York University and was named a second-team OUA all-star in 2024, amassing 88 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, three pass breakups, an interception, and a blocked kick. The six-foot, 217-pounder previously played for the Langley Rams in the Canadian Junior Football League.

Jack went with the 60th overall pick in the seventh round. The six-foot, 200-pound target from Saint Mary’s University caught 47 passes for 768 yards and three touchdowns in 23 career games. The native of Brampton, Ont., also rushed for one score and returned a kickoff for another major.

Hooper went unselected in the 2026 CFL Draft, despite a respectable college resume. The six-foot-five, 265-pound defensive end spent his first three seasons at the University of Connecticut, before transferring to the University of South Dakota for two years. In 54 games between the two programs, the Burlington, Ont., native made 69 total tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and three batted passes.

Winnipeg has also placed a pair of Americans,  running back J.J. Taylor and offensive lineman Ben Dooley, on the retired list. Neither player has previously played in a CFL game.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were active in free agency, signing receivers Tommy Nield and Tim White, offensive lineman Jarell Broxton, defensive lineman Jake Ceresna, linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox, and defensive back Jonathan Moxey. The team also suffered a few departures, including receiver Keric Wheatfall (Hamilton Tiger-Cats) and defensive lineman James Vaughters (Saskatchewan Roughriders). Jake Thomas, the team’s longest-tenured player, retired to become its defensive line coach.

In 2025, Winnipeg finished fourth in the West Division standings with a 10-8 record, qualifying for the playoffs as the crossover team before losing the East Semi-Final to the Montreal Alouettes.

All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on May 10. Winnipeg will play its first preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday, May 23 and its regular-season game against the Calgary Stampeders on Friday, June 5.