The Winnipeg Blue Bombers had a specific and straightforward game plan heading into the 2023 Canadian Football League Draft, and while they may have been tempted to stray from it, they religiously followed the script with the conviction of a Franciscan monk.
Holding on to all eight of their picks – one in each round – the Blue Bombers significantly restocked their defensive depth, grabbing three defensive linemen in Anthony Bennett and Tanner Schmekel, both of the University of Regina, and Collin Kornelson of the University of Manitoba, two defensive backs in Jake Kelly of Bishop’s and Bret MacDougall of Windsor and one linebacker in Ottawa’s Max Charbonneau, along with a receiver Jeremy Murphy of Concordia and Alberta running back/receiver Jonathan Rosery.
Earlier in the day the team selected two punters in the Global Draft in Jamieson Sheahan of the University of California by way of Australia, and Bermuda native Karl Schmitz, a 36-year-old still kicking who has already had tryouts with three NFL teams in his pursuit of a professional gig. GM Kyle Walters is to meet with the media Wednesday morning and will provide more detail and explanation about the club’s 2023 draft. In the meantime, here’s a more detailed look at the newest Bombers:
THE NEW BLUE CREW
Anthony Bennett
Selected: First round, 8th overall
Position: Defensive end
School: Regina
Ht: 6-1; Wt: 229
Born: October 4, 1996; Hometown: Weston, Fla.
Notable: Played five years at Florida Atlantic University before transferring to Regina in 2021, his mother’s hometown. He’s 26 and was named a U Sports All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star in 2022 after registering eight sacks, and an interception for a touchdown. Comes from a football family as his father Charles played with Tampa Bay in the NFL, his uncle Tony also played in the NFL, while his brother Andrew also played for Regina. During his days at FAU, he played at 255, but trimmed down to play the Canadian game.
Why he’s a good fit for the Bombers: The Bombers lost Jonathan Kongbo to the NFL’s Denver Broncos and the big Canadian gave them flexibility with the roster and the ratio in occasionally spelling off ends Willie Jefferson and Jackson Jeffcoat. Grabbing Bennett gives the club those options again along the defensive front along with returning Canadian tackles Jake Thomas and Cam Lawson, and especially with Cole Adamson going to get a long look during camp at being converted to the O-line.
There’s also this: he’s mature at 26, has an engaging personality and team-first approach that should be a natural fit in the team’s locker room.
Jake Kelly
Selected: Second round, 15th overallÈ
Position: Defensive back
School: Bishop’s
Ht: 5-11; Wt: 182
Born: April 1, 1999; Hometown: Markham, Ont.
Notable: An exceptional tester at the CFL Combine, he ran a 4.56 40 – tied for third fastest at the event – had the best vertical at 40.5 inches, the fifth-best broad jump, and the second-best 3-cone time. As TSN Draft guru said after the pick was made, “there’s no doubt he is one of the most-explosive athletes in this entire draft class.” Named the winner of Gaitors Brian Morely Defensive Player of the Year award last year. Had 19 tackles, one forces fumble, two interceptions – one for a touchdown – and seven break-ups in eight games last year. Also returned punts.
Why he’s a good fit for the Bombers: Tyrell Ford, last year’s top pick by the Blue Bombers, signed a futures deal with the Green Bay Packers in the offseason and the club cut both Patrice Rene and Malcolm Thompson last December. Nick Hallett has been solid, but his brother Noah has battled the injury bug the last two seasons. Both Charles-Antoine Beaulieau and Jordan Veltri were added to bolster the Canadian DB depth and Kelly provides even more.
Jeremy Murphy
Selected: third round, 26th overall
Position: Receiver
School: Concordia
Ht: 6-0; Wt: 180
Born: May 14, 1999; Hometown: Montreal, Que.
Notable: A U-Sports First Team All-Canadian, Murphy had 29 receptions for 589 yards and two TDs for Concordia. Ran a 4.58 40 at the CFL Combine and is said to have exceptional hands. Attended the College Gridiron Showcase in Fort Worth, Texas in January after being identified by a panel of football scouts and coaches. He was the U-Sports Rookie of the Year in 2019; missed most of the 2021 season after suffering a hamstring tear.
Why he’s a good fit for the Bombers: The offence starts two Canadian receivers in Nic Demski and Drew Wolitarsky and has the promising Brendan O’Leary-Orange also ready to take the next step. Murphy fills an immediate depth need here and does have the potential to be a starter down the road.
Tanner Schmekel
Selected: fourth round, 35th overall
Position: Defensive tackle
School: Regina
Ht: 6-2; Wt: 270
Born: July 22, 1999; Hometown: Regina
Notable: A First Team U-Sports All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star in 2022, he had 14 tackles, two sacks and six tackles for a loss last year. Joins Bennett, a Rams D-line teammate, as a Bomber 2023 pick.
Why he’s a good fit for the Bombers: Bennett gives the club ratio flexibility at end, and Schmekel will provide depth behind Thomas and Lawson as homegrown talent in the middle of the D-line.
Collin Kornelson
Selected: fifth round, 44th overall
Position: Defensive tackle
School: Manitoba
Ht: 6-2; Wt: 288
Born: February 14, 2000; Hometown: Winnipeg
Notable: One of the Bisons captains last year, Kornelson played in the 2022 U-Sports East-West Bowl. Tied for the top total among O-linemen at the CFL Combine with 21 bench-press reps. Recently profiled on bluebombers.com.
Why he’s a good fit for the Bombers: Canadian depth along the D-line was an area of need heading into the draft, but has been more than filled now with Bennett, Schmekel and Kornelson. Character guy, good teammate who should fit well in the Bombers locker room. He also could return to Manitoba.
Bret MacDougall
Selected: sixth round, 53rd overall
Position: Defensive back
School: Windsor
Ht: 6-2; Wt: 185
Born: June 25, 2001; Hometown: LaSalle, Ont.
Notable: Had two interceptions, 26 tackles, two tackles for a loss, one fumble recovery and forced fumble for the Lancers last year. An a 4.65 40 at the CFL Combine.
Why he’s a good fit for the Bombers: Joins Kelly, the second-round pick, as two new faces to bolster the team’s Canadian depth in the defensive backfield.
Jonathan Rosery
Selected: seventh round, 62nd overall
Position: Running back/receiver
School: Alberta
Ht: 5-8; Wt: 199
Born: January 16, 2000; Hometown: Edmonton, Alb.
Notable: Rushed 36 times for 160 yards and added 29 receptions for 536 yards and two TDs for the Golden Bears last year. Tore his ACL in 2019, but came back to play in the 2021 U-Sports East-West Bowl.
Why he’s a good fit for the Bombers: Exceptional offensive talent who has drawn comparisons to Nic Demski because he had touches both as a receiver and running back during his days with Alberta. Potentially gives the Bombers backfield and receiving depth.
Max Charbonneau
Selected: eighth round, 71st overall
Position: Linebacker
School: Ottawa
Ht: 6-3; Wt: 225
Born: August 19, 1999; Hometown: Ottawa
Notable: Played in 28 games over four years with the Gee-Gees, registering 38 tackles, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a pass break-up.
Why he’s a good fit for the Bombers: The Bombers have veterans Jesse Briggs (33) and Shayne Gauthier (31) among their Canadian linebacking corps – along with Tanner Cadwallader (25). Charbonneau will get his shot on special teams, as all of the above did, and could be a longer-term option when Briggs and Gauthier finish their careers.
GLOBAL DRAFT SELECTIONS
JAMIESON SHEAHAN
Selected: Round 1, eighth overall
Position: Punter
School: University of California
Ht: 6-0; Weight: 205
FYI: One of the many Australian kickers now doing their thing in the NFL and CFL, Sheahan was born in Whyalla, Australia and spent the last three years as Cal’s punter. A product of the ProKick Australia system, he was named Second Team All-Pac-12 last year and gave up his remaining college eligibility by declaring for the NFL Draft last December but was not selected. He ranked second last year in the Pac-12 with a 45.1-yard average.
Go Bombers https://t.co/hwjvsLp2ZZ
— Jamieson Sheahan (@JamSheahan) May 2, 2023
KARL SCHMITZ
Selected: Round 2, 17th overall
Position: Punter
School: Jacksonville University
Ht: 6-4; Weight: 210
FYI: Schmitz is 36 – yes, 36 – and still chasing the football dream after stints with the Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. Born in Bermuda, he moved to St. Louis at age 16 and fell in love with football but played just a half season of high school football after being in a car accident just prior to his senior year. Schmitz became a bit of a YouTube sensation a few years back after kicking a 70-yard field goal.
