The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed offensive linemen Brayden Keim and Tyler Elsbury, and defensive lineman Phillip Webb, while releasing offensive linemen Chris Walker and Matt Kickel on Friday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Brayden Keim is six foot nine and weighs 310 pounds. A native of Sandy, Utah, Keim attended the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs rookie minicamps in 2025.
Collegiately, Keim played six seasons at BYU (2019-24) playing tackle in 36 games, of which 19 were starts for the Cougars. In 2024, BYU averaged 31.15 points per game, 161 rushing yards per game, 231.3 passing yards per game, 392.3 total yards per game, 48 touchdowns, and allowed 18 sacks. He was named an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and Third Team All-Big 12 by College Football Network in 2024.
Tyler Elsbury is six foot five and weighs 316 pounds. A native of Byron, Illinois, Elsbury attended the Seattle Seahawks rookie minicamp in 2025.
Collegiately, Elsbury played five seasons at Iowa (2020-24) playing guard in 50 games for the Hawkeyes. In 2024, Iowa averaged 27.69 points per game, 197.2 rushing yards per game, 131.6 passing yards per game, 328.8 total yards per game, 43 touchdowns, and allowed 17 sacks finishing 8-5 for the season and appeared in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl.
Phillip Webb is six foot five and weighs 265 pounds. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Webb attended the Miami Dolphins rookie minicamp in 2025.
Collegiately, Webb played two seasons at LSU (2020-21) making one tackle (1 assist) in three games for the Tigers. Then, he transferred to Jackson State (2023-24) making 63 tackles (35 solos, 28 assists), 16 tackles for loss, six sacks, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 25 games for the Tigers. In 2024, Webb made 41 tackles (21 solos, 20 assists), 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble in 14 games.
Chris Walker is six foot six and weighs 304 pounds. The 26-year-old from Lincoln, Nebraska, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Walker on October 8, 2024.
He spent several weeks on the practice squad before the Blue Bombers released him on November 16, 2024. The Blue Bombers re-signed Walker on December 4, 2024.
Collegiately, Walker played four seasons at Nebraska (2018-21) playing both offense and defense making one tackle (1 solo) in six games for the Cornhuskers. Then, he transferred to Montana (2022-23) playing left tackle in 28 games for the Grizzlies.
In 2023, Montana’s offense had 2,967 passing yards and 2,652 rushing yards. They finished third in the nation and first in the Big Sky in first down offense this season, moving the chains 297 times while outscoring opponents 454-258. He was named an All-Big Sky Honorable Mention.
Matt Kickel is six foot four and weighs 300 pounds. The 24-year-old from Bolingbrook, Illinois, signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on April 27, 2025.
Collegiately, Kickel started as a redshirt Freshman at Arizona State in 2019 as a walk-on prospect and served on the scouting team for the Sun Devils. Then, he transferred to Aurora University (2020-24) playing 34 games on the offensive line for the Spartans.
In 2023, he played 12 games. Aurora averaged 53.25 points per game, 234.8 rushing yards per game, 269.92 passing yards per game, 504.7 total yards per game, 88 touchdowns, and allowed 21 sacks finishing 11-1 for the season losing to Wisconsin-La Crosse in the 2023 NCAA Division III playoffs quarterfinals.
In 2024, he started 11 games on the offensive line for the Spartans. In 2024, Aurora averaged 46.64 points per game, 169.9 rushing yards per game, 294.36 passing yards per game, 464.3 total yards per game, 72 touchdowns, and allowed 13 sacks finishing 9-2 for the season and appearing in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Division III playoffs losing to Hope College 49-21.
Kickel was named Second Team CSC Academic All-American, Second Team All-American by D3football.com, Associated Press (AP), and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). He was also named NACC Offensive Lineman of the Year and First Team All-NACC.
Kickel was named a five-time All-American (2024 D3football.com, AP and AFCA, and 2023 AP and D3football.com), and a three-time First Team All-NACC.
