The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed offensive lineman Chris Walker and linebacker Bryce Notree to the practice squad and released quarterback Darren Grainger and defensive lineman Brandon Wright on Tuesday.
Chris Walker is six foot six and weighs 304 pounds. The 26-year-old from Lincoln, Nebraska, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Collegiately, Walker played four seasons at Nebraska (2018-21) playing both offense and defensive 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.
Bryce Notree is six foot three and weighs 225 pounds. The 25-year-old from Arlington, Texas, signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent on May 16, 2022. He was released by the Commanders on August 7, 2022.
Then, Notree signed with the Montreal Alouettes on January 14, 2023. Notree made 21 tackles, 11 tackles on special teams, and one sack in 10 games for the Montreal Alouettes in 2023 helping Montreal win the 110th Grey Cup over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Montreal Alouettes released Notree on May 11, 2024. He re-signed with the Alouettes on July 17, 2024, and played four games making one tackle on special teams. The Alouettes released him on September 16, 2024.
Collegiately, Notree played five seasons at Southern Illinois (2017-21) with 246 tackles (169 solo, 77 assists), 15 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, four interceptions for 43 yards, nine pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 46 games with the Salukis. He was an All-MVFC Honorable Mention in 2020.
In his senior season, Notree had 90 tackles (67 solo, 23 assists), 8 tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions, and six pass breakups in 13 games. He was named 2nd Team All-MVFC in 2021. He finished his Southern Illinois career ranked 24th in tackles (246).
Darren Grainger is six foot four and weighs 225 pounds. The 24-year-old from Conway, South Carolina, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and attended the New York Jets rookie minicamp. He signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on May 25, 2024.
Grainger played one preseason game against the Calgary Stampeders completing 1 of 6 passes (17%) for 13 yards, and one carry for eight yards. The Blue Bombers released him on June 2, 2024, and re-signed him on September 16, 2024.
Collegiately, Grainger played two seasons at Furman University (2018-19) completing 92 of 188 passes (49%) for 1,403 yards, 15 touchdowns, five interceptions, 135 carries for 349 yards, and five touchdowns in 18 games for the Paladins. He was named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman Team in 2019.
Then, Grainger transferred to Georgia State (2021-23) completing 496 of 799 passes (62%) for 5,936 yards, 51 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, 421 carries for 1,989 yards, 17 touchdowns, and two tackles (2 solo) in 35 games for the Panthers. In 2023, Grainger completed 202 of 299 passes (68%) for 1,964 yards, 16 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 136 carries for 666 yards, eight touchdowns, and two tackles (2 solo) in 11 games.
In the 2023 Famous Idaho Potatoes Bowl against Utah State, Grainger completed 19 of 22 passes (86.4%) for 257 yards, three touchdowns, 24 carries for 111 yards, and two touchdowns leading the Panthers to a 45-22 win, and was named the Bowl’s MVP. In addition, Grainger was named a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference Honorable Mention, MVP of the 2021 TaxAct Camellia Bowl, and the Davey O’Brien Award Class of 2023.
Brandon Wright is six foot two and weighs 250 pounds. The 24-year-old from Euclid, Ohio, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Wright on September 16, 2024, and spent several weeks on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Wright played five seasons at Michigan State (2019-23). He started as a running back for the first two seasons and switched to defensive lineman in his junior season. He made 44 tackles (13 solo, 31 assists), six tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one pass breakup, two forced fumbles, 24 carries for 61 yards, and one catch for 13 yards in 42 games for the Spartans.
