The Winnipeg Blue Bombers placed quarterback Darren Grainger on the retired list on Monday according to the CFL Transactions page.
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 again on October 8, 2024, and re-signed him on October 22, 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.
