Bombers add speed and size
Published on March 27, 2007 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers News Release
WINNIPEG, MB - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers added some speed and size today with the signing of import defensive back Chijioke Onyenegecha and import receiver Kerry Johnson.
As per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
It may take Blue Bombers fans some time to wrap their tongues around his name, but Chijioke Onyenegecha (pronounced CHEE-JOE-KAY O-YENA-GECHA) is hoping to quickly make a name for himself as a member of the Blue & Gold.
Onyenegecha (6-1, 210, Oklahoma '05, DOB: March 15, 1983 in El Sobrante, Calif.) attended training camp with the NFL's Washington Redskins in 2006 after signing with the team as a free agent.
Onyenegecha earned a reputation as a shutdown cornerback during his two seasons with the University of Oklahoma Sooners. During his senior year in 2005, he started nine of 11 games for the Sooners and registered 31 total tackles, three tackles for losses, seven pass break-ups and an interception return for a touchdown.
His success with the Sooners followed a two-year stint at City College of San Francisco, where he established himself as one of the top junior college corners in the nation. He helped the school win a national junior championship during his freshman year in San Francisco and was a first-team Junior College Gridwire All-American.
"Chijoke Onyenegecha has the size and speed to be an outstanding defensive back in this league," Winnipeg Blue Bombers G.M. Brendan Taman said. "He can run downfield with any receiver and is a physical, effective tackler."
Johnson (6-3, 202, Mississippi '04, DOB: March 6, 1982 in Oxford, Miss.) turned some heads at the Atlanta Falcons' 2005 training camp with his speed and size before injuring a knee. He has been clocked at 4.51 in the 40 and can play either wide receiver or slotback.
Johnson had an outstanding collegiate career as a member of the Ole Miss Rebels. As a senior in 2004, he saw action in 11 games and caught 27 passes for 338 yards. He had a career-high five receptions for 52 yards in an Oct. 9 game at South Carolina and a career-high 74 yards receiving in a Nov. 20 game at LSU.
Originally recruited out of Oxford High School as a quarterback, Johnson also saw some action as a defensive back at Mississippi. He was a college teammate of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and recorded his first college catch and first college TD catch from Manning.
"Kerry Johnson has outstanding speed and can really stretch the field," Taman said. "And because of his size, he is versatile enough to play either wide receiver or slotback and has the ability to contribute on special teams."
Canadian Football League Stories from March 27, 2007
- Eskimos add six-year CFL vet to defensive secondary - Edmonton Elks
- Record-setting night for Orange Helmet Awards - B.C. Lions
- Argos become Canadian Blood Services' Partners For Life - Toronto Argonauts
- Catch Milt a second time - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Bombers add speed and size - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
