The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed defensive backs Russell Dandy and Patrick Rogers on Monday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Russell Dandy is six foot and weighs 175 pounds. The 24-year-old from Hinesville, Georgia, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and attended the New York Jets rookie minicamp in 2024. He signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on May 22, 2024.
Dandy played two preseason games making two tackles and one tackle on special teams. The Blue Bombers released him on June 2, 2024. The Blue Bombers re-signed Dandy on September 16, 2024, and he spent several weeks on the practice squad. Winnipeg released him again on October 15, 2024.
Collegiately, Dandy played two seasons at Butte College (2018-19) making 25 tackles (19 solos, 6 assists), one tackle for loss, three pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 15 games for the Roadrunners.
Then, Dandy transferred to Eastern Illinois University (2021-23) making 74 tackles (61 solos, 13 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, 24 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 25 games for the Panthers.
In 2023, Dandy made 34 tackles (30 solos, 4 assists), one tackle for loss, one interception, 19 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 11 games. He was named to the OVC All-Newcomer Team in 2021 and First Team All-Big South Conference in 2023.
Patrick Rogers is five foot eleven and weighs 190 pounds. The 25-year-old from Tacoma, Washington, signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on May 1, 2024. In 2024, Rogers appeared in two preseason games recording no stats. The Blue Bombers released him on June 1, 2024.
Collegiately, Rogers played six seasons at Central Washington University (2018-23) with 175 tackles (110 solos, 65 assists), 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, seven interceptions for 185 yards, two touchdowns, 36 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two forced fumbles, two blocked kicks, and four punt returns for 24 yards in 46 games for the Wildcats. He was named First Team All-GNAC in 2021.
In 2023, Rogers made 63 tackles (37 solos, 26 assists), two tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick in 12 games. He was named First Team AFCA All-American, Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-American Honorable Mention, and Second Team All-LSC.
