Photo: Iowa Athletics
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed American defensive lineman Jonah Pace and Global punter Keegan Andrews.
Pace finished his collegiate career at the University of Iowa in 2025, where he was named an All-Big Ten honourable mention. The six-foot-five, 285-pound defender recorded 19 total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and two pass breakups. The native of Marengo, Ill. previously played at Central Michigan, where he made a career-high 11 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2024.
Andrews was the team’s second-round pick in the 2026 CFL Global Draft. The six-foot-three, 250-pound native of Werribee, Australia finished his collegiate career at the University of Massachusetts in 2025, where he punted 63 times for an average of 46.6 yards to be named first-team All-Conference and a second-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America.
The Blue Bombers have also released American receiver Key’Shawn Smith. The six-foot-one, 186-pound target finished his collegiate career at Southern Methodist University, where he recorded 58 receptions for 919 yards and eight touchdowns in 28 games over two seasons. Smith previously played at the University of Miami, where he made 48 catched for 662 yards and five touchdowns over 29 games.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers opened training camp on May 10. Winnipeg will play its first preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday, May 23 and second preseason game against the B.C. Lions on Friday, May 29. Final roster cuts are due on Saturday, May 30, after which the team will play its first regular-season game against the Calgary Stampeders on Friday, June 5.
Winnipeg recently selected Wake Forest defensive lineman Nuer Gatkuoth with their first-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, adding to the club’s pass rush. The team’s other major offseason additions include receiver Tim White, offensive lineman Jarell Broxton, and defensive lineman Jake Ceresna.
In 2025, the Blue Bombers 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.
