The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed linebacker Michael Ayers and defensive back Marquise Bridges on Thursday.
Michael Ayers is six foot two and weighs 223 pounds. The 25-year-old from Columbus, Ohio, was drafted by the Houston Roughnecks (XFL) of the 2023 XFL Rookie Draft.
Unfortunately, the original Roughnecks were not included in the USFL and XFL merger to create the United Football League (UFL). The Houston Gamblers (USFL) were rebranded as the Roughnecks. Before Houston, Ayers signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Collegiately, Ayers played five seasons at Ashland University (2018-22) with 231 tackles (126 solo, 105 assists), 28.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two interceptions for 30 yards, 14 pass breakups, six forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 43 games for the Eagles.
He was named First Team All-Great Midwest Conference, and Great Midwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and was nominated for the 2021 Cliff Harris Award, presented to the nation’s top small college defensive player.
Marquise Bridges is five foot eleven and weighs 190 pounds. The 26-year-old from Minneapolis, Minnesota, made 78 tackles (38 solo, 40 assists), two tackles for loss, five interceptions for 38 yards, 13 pass breakups, nine catches for 124 yards, and one touchdown in 16 games for the Bay Area Panthers (IFL) in 2023 helping them win the IFL Championship Game over the Sioux Falls Storm 51-41.
Before Bay Area, Bridges worked out for the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers. In 2022, he signed with the Northern Arizona Wranglers (IFL) with 35 tackles (22 solo, 13 assists), half a tackle for loss, three interceptions for 21 yards, ten pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one safety in 16 games helping the Wranglers win the 2022 IFL Championship Quad City Steamwheelers 47-45.
Collegiately, Bridges played four seasons at North Dakota State (2016-19) with 87 tackles (58 solo, 29 assists), four tackles for loss, five interceptions for 46 yards, 26 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and three kick returns for 50 yards in 49 games for the Bison. He was named Second Team All-MVFC and helped the Bison win three FCS championships.
