The Winnipeg Blue Bombers re-signed linebacker Brian Cole II to a one-year contract extension through the 2024 season and signed defensive back Nico McCarthy on Tuesday.
Brian Cole II is six foot two and weighs 207 pounds. The 26-year-old from Saginaw, Michigan, made three tackles, 14 tackles on special teams, and three forced fumbles in 15 games for the Blue Bombers in 2023. The Blue Bombers signed Cole II as a free agent on July 13, 2022. In 2022, Cole II made six tackles on special teams in 11 games.
Before Winnipeg, The Minnesota Vikings drafted Cole II in the seventh round (249th pick) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He also had stints with the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the Edmonton Elks.
Collegiately, Cole II played one season at Michigan in 2015 as a wide receiver with one catch for -1 yard in two games for the Wolverines. Next, he transferred to East Mississippi Community College in 2016 switching to defensive back with 54 tackles (45 solo, 9 assists), one tackle for loss, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two blocked punts in 11 games for the Lions.
Then, Cole II transferred to Mississippi State (2018-19) with 78 tackles (43 solo, 35 assists), 10.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, four pass breakups, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and 16 kick returns for 329 yards in 17 games for the Bulldogs. He was named Team Captain in 2019.
Nico McCarthy is six foot one and weighs 200 pounds. The 24-year-old from Scarborough, Ontario, made 37 tackles (29 solo, 17 assists), two interceptions, and four pass breakups for Wilfrid Laurier in 2023. He attended the CFL Combine in 2023 running a 4.77 on the 40-yard dash, a vertical jump of 35, 7.34 in the cone drills, and a 4.51 in the shuttle drills.
Collegiately, McCarthy played six seasons at Wilfrid Laurier (2018-23) with 91 tackles (72 solo, 42 assists), one tackle for loss, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries in 38 games for the Golden Hawks. He was named Second Team OUA All-Star in 2022.
