Winnipeg Blue Bombers Sign Five Players

Sports

WINNIPEG, MB. – Seven players, who spent time on the practice roster last season, were signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this week.

The team signed quarterbacks Josh Straughan and Philip Nelson, defensive linemen Sam Montgomery and Chris Casher, defensive back Zavian Bingham, receiver Garry Brown and running back Zach Bauman.

Straughan (6-2, 203, Southern Illinois University, May 2, 1994 in Colton, WA) played one season with the Salukis, starting eight games, after transferring from Division II Stillman College. He threw for 2,429 yards and 15 touchdowns while only throwing four interceptions.

Nelson (6-3, 220, East Carolina, September 11, 1993 in Madison, WI) played two years for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers and later finished his collegiate career with the East Carolina University Pirates. At ECU, Nelson posted career passing numbers throwing for 2,621 yards and 16 touchdowns at a 68% completion rate.

Montgomery (6-4, 257, Louisiana State University, May 25, 1990 in Greenwood, SC) played three seasons with the LSU Tigers where and was named a first-team All-American in his final season. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft, 95th overall. Since being released by the Texans, he has made stops with the Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals.

Casher (6-4, 265, Faulkner University, December 30, 1993 in Mobile, AL) played four seasons with the Florida State University Seminoles and was part of the 2014 National Championship team. He later transferred to Faulkner University for his last year of eligibility, where he started in all 10 games registering 60 total tackles and 8.5 sacks. He has spent time with the Oakland Raiders and New York Giants as an undrafted rookie last season.

Bingham (5-10, 195, Jackson State, December 2, 1992 in Terry, MS) spent part of training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2017, before suffering an injury and being released. He played in 22 games over two seasons at Jackson State, recording 83 tackles, three interceptions with one returned 99 yards for a touchdown. He also recorded 12 pass breakups.

Brown (6-0, 204, California University of Pennsylvania, August 13, 1995 in Columbus, OH) played four seasons with the California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans in NCAA Division II. He made 222 career receptions for 3741 yards and 43 touchdowns. In his senior season, he led Division II with 26 total touchdowns averaging 16.2 catches and 122.9 yard per game. He was also named a consensus First-Team All-American and a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, Division II’s most valuable player award.

Bauman (5-7, 192, Northern Arizona University, July 23, 1992 in Chandler, AZ) played four years with the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks and hit the 1,000-yard mark rushing each year. In his senior year, he rushed for 1,456 yard and 10 touchdowns. He has spent time on the practice squads of the Arizona Cardinals and Edmonton Eskimos.

David Marshal, Manitoba Post with files from the Blue Bombers

Photo – Hudl.com