The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed defensive lineman Jake Ceresna to a two-year contract through the 2027 season on Friday. Cresena’s rights were transferred to Winnipeg.
Jake Ceresna is six foot five and weighs 295 pounds. The 31-year-old from New Fairfield, Connecticut, made 16 tackles, one sack, and one interception in 11 games for the Edmonton Elks in 2025.
The Ottawa Redblacks signed Ceresna on May 25, 2016, and he was released on June 4, 2016. The New York Jets signed Ceresna as an undrafted free agent on August 14, 2016. He made two tackles (2 solos) in one preseason game for the Jets making two tackles (2 solo). The Jets released him on September 22, 2016.
The Redblacks re-signed Ceresna a short time later. In 2017, he made 18 tackles and two sacks in 14 games for the Redblacks. After the season, Ottawa traded him to the Edmonton Elks (then Eskimos) on February 8, 2018.
In 2018, Ceresna made 32 tackles, eight sacks, and one forced fumble in 18 games. Edmonton released him on January 2, 2019, and he signed with the New York Giants on the same day. In 2019, he made four tackles (3 solos, 1 assist) and one sack in four preseason games.
The Giants released him on August 31, 2019. The D.C. Defenders drafted Ceresna in the 2020 XFL Open Draft, but he re-signed with the Edmonton Eskimos on November 5, 2019. In 2021, he made 34 tackles and five sacks in 12 games.
In 2022, he made 31 tackles, ten sacks, and four forced fumbles in 12 games for the Elks in 2022. He was named to his first CFL All-Star and CFL West All-Star in 2022. In 2023, he made 48 tackles, 12 sacks, and one forced fumble in 18 games.
The Elks traded Ceresna to the Toronto Argonauts on January 15, 2024, along with the rights to running back Khalan Laborn for wide receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. and a 2024 seventh-round draft pick. Ceresna played four seasons in Edmonton with 145 tackles, 35 sacks, and six forced fumbles in 56 games.
In 2024, he made 29 tackles, eight sacks, and one forced fumble in 17 games. In the 111th Grey Cup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Ceresna made one tackle as Toronto beat Winnipeg 41-24 to win its second Grey Cup in three seasons.
Collegiately, Ceresna played one season at Southern Connecticut State in 2012 with 19 tackles (9 solos, 10 assists) and one sack in 11 games for the Owls. Then, Ceresna transferred to Cortland State (2013-15) with 142 tackles (81 solos, 61 assists), 39.5 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, ten pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 33 games for the Red Dragons.
