Feisty Bison lineman returns to the Blue Bombers fold
Published on January 14, 2003 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers News Release
WINNIPEG, MB â The Winnipeg Blue Bombers added a talented young offensive lineman to its roster today with the signing of University of Manitoba Bison product Devin Rodger.
Rodger (6-1, 300, Manitoba '02, DOB: May 16, 1976 in 100 Mile House, BC) returns to the Winnipeg lineup after completing his fourth year with the highly regarded Bison program, led by head coach Brian Dobie.
"He impressed us throughout last year's training camp with his work ethic and we feel he deserves another look," said the Blue Bombers vice-president of player personnel Brendan Taman. "We feel he can compete for a roster spot.
The Blue Bombers didn't have to go far when it came to filling a need on the offensive line in training camp last year, as the CFL club first signed Rodger, June 3, 2002. At that time, he filled a big void made when tackle Mike Bosnic departed the Blue Bombers training camp and centre Brandon Dyson failed to report to camp.
Rodger held his own against much-older and experienced CFLers. He also engaged in several well-publicized scraps in the team's daily camp workouts. The feisty lineman scrapped it up with the likes of veterans Doug Brown, Denny Fortney, Doug Hocking and Lamar McGriggs.
THE COLLEGE YEARS
Rodger recently completed his fourth year as a guard with Dobie's monster college program at U of M. He was a First-Team CIS and Canada West All-Star in 2001, as he helped guide the school to an appearance in the Vanier Cup Championship.
A Geography major at Manitoba, Rodger joined the Bisons in 1999 after playing five years of junior football for the Okanagan Sun. He was a key member of the mighty Sun teams that won the BCFC Championship in 1997 and 1998 and made appearances those same years in the Canadian Bowl â the CJFL Championship Game.
Rodger was a CJFL All-Canadian in 1997 and 1998. He also copped First-Team BCFC All-Star honors those years in addition to being named the BCFC's Top Lineman both years.
Rodger, a graduate of Pleasant Valley Secondary in Vernon, B.C., played at Okanagan with future Bison teammate Mike Faisthuber
Canadian Football League Stories from January 14, 2003
- Bombers Ink Joey Mikawoz - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Feisty Bison lineman returns to the Blue Bombers fold - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Blue Bombers Sign Pair - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Manitoba's Joey Mikawoz & Devin Rodger back with Winnipeg - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Blue Bombers in the Community - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
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