The Winnipeg Blue Bombers invited defensive back Joseph Funk-Clements, linebacker Brandon Kamenz, defensive back Keyshawn Gaskin, and wide receiver Mekhi Tyrell from the Territorial Exemption list on Thursday. These players are routinely invited to training camp without collegiate experience and all of them come from junior teams like the Winnipeg Rifles.
Players like Andrew Harris, Jevon Cottoy, and Logan Ferland have all entered the league via this avenue. In addition, the Blue Bombers signed Global Draft Pick punter Karl Schmitz.
Joseph Funk-Clements is five foot eleven and weighs 170 pounds. The 21-year-old has played two seasons for the Winnipeg Rifles (CJFL) with 42 tackles (33 solo, 9 assists), two interceptions, 12 kick returns for 199 yards, and 12 punt returns for 73 yards in four games. Funk-Clements was invited to the Blue Bombers training camp last year.
Brandon Kamenz is six foot and weighs 200 pounds. The 21-year-old has played three seasons with the Winnipeg Rifles (CJFL) with 112 tackles (81 solo, 26 assists, 6 ST), five sacks, seven interceptions, and two touchdowns in 21 games.
Keyshawn Gaskin is six foot two and weighs 160 pounds. The 21-year-old has played two seasons for the Winnipeg Rifles (CJFL) with 39 tackles (32 solo, 7 assists) and two interceptions in 16 games.
Mekhi Tyrell is six foot and one and weighs 185 pounds. The 19-year-old wide receiver played at Clarkson Football North in Mississauga, Ontario, and will play for the Winnipeg Rifles this season. He has drawn interest from Alabama, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, and Penn State.
Karl Schmitz is six foot four and weighs 215 pounds. The 36-year-old was taken in the second round (17th pick) of the 2023 CFL Global Draft from Jacksonville. He signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent and also had brief stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers.
