The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed quarterback Darren Grainger, defensive lineman Brandon Wright, and defensive back Jordan Toles to future contracts starting in 2025 on Tuesday.
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. The Blue Bombers released him on October 8, 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. The Blue Bombers released him on October 8, 2024.
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.
Jordan Toles is six foot one and weighs 216 pounds. The 23-year-old from Baltimore, Maryland, signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024. Toles was released by the Ravens on July 31, 2024.
Collegiately, Toles played two seasons at LSU (2020-21) making 16 tackles (8 solo, 8 assists) and a half tackle for loss in 14 games for the Tigers.
Then, Toles transferred to Morgan State (2022-23) making 114 tackles (67 solo, 47 assists), six tackles for loss, half a sack, four interceptions for 119 yards, one touchdown, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two blocked kicks, six kick returns for 107 yards, and one touchdown in 20 games for the Bears.
In 2023, Toles made 66 tackles (37 solo, 29 assists), three tackles for loss, three interceptions for 69 yards, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, one blocked kick, three kick returns for 91 yards, and one touchdown in 10 games. He was named First Team All-MEAC. After the season, Toles played in the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl.
