Blue Bombers’ Reese picks up the pieces

David Reese admits his new routine took some getting used to.

No, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie defensive end wasn’t talking about the transition to the CFL game.

That’s been relatively smooth, especially over the past two games as his playing time has increased and he worked his way into a starting role.

But after spending eight years in the NCAA due to a host of injuries and circumstances such as a global pandemic, Reese said there were times he wondered if he shouldn’t be walking into a classroom, burying his head in a textbook or preparing for the next exam.

“We get done earlier in the day and it feels like I’m supposed to go to tutoring or something,” said Reese, who is expected to get a third consecutive start Sunday against the Ottawa Redblacks.

“I’ve got all of this free time. It feels kind of weird. I’ve been in college for so long. It felt weird the first couple of weeks. I’m adjusting. It gives me more time to take care of my body and stuff like that.”

The thirst for knowledge remains as Reese digs into the three-down game.

His inquisitive nature, combined with his drive and determination, are serving Reese well in the early stages of his CFL journey.

“For anybody, it’s great if you listen and David is wired to listen,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “Asking the questions is one thing, listening to the answers and trying to implement them is another. He does have that. He’s got that thirst for knowledge and a desire to be better. That kind of combination endears young guys to vets.”

Among the veteran players Reese has endeared himself to is fellow defensive end Willie Jefferson.

“David is a good rookie,” said Jefferson. “He wants to know how he can be better. He’s one of the young guys that’s looking to be taken under a wing. For me, all I can do is give him everything I can to make him better.

“He’s figuring it out. Since his playing time increased, he’s making the most of his opportunities.”

Reese appreciates having someone like Jefferson as a sounding board as he learns the intricacies of the CFL.

“It’s a blessing,” said Reese, who was named to the SEC academic honour roll in 2019, 2020 and 2021. “He’s a Hall of Famer. To have somebody experienced and who has been around the game for such a long time, been in the CFL, knows the ins and outs … He’s just helping me with my game and how to prepare. All the little details. He’s giving (advice) and being a big brother role model and just kind of helping when needed. Being new to the league, being new to Canada, he’s definitely helped out a lot. For me and the other rookies.”

Moving to the pro ranks was always the goal for Reese and a series of injuries at the University of Florida tested his patience before eventually fortifying his will.

“There comes a point where you really have got to ask yourself ‘Is this something that I really want to do?’ Once I made that decision to go, I’ve been running with it ever since,” said Reese. “Honestly, it was a blessing. I tell anybody who asks me, I’m thankful for it. Being able to grow and go through those things, with adversity throughout my life, I feel like it really puts me in a position where mentally I don’t feel like anybody can mess with me.

“The way I attack life, the way I go about my business. When you actually have to wake up and go to rehab every day, to do the little things to have to get yourself back on the field. Nobody is going to do that for you. That really gave me a greater perspective on life.”

The initial injury happened during summer workouts after Reese finished his redshirt season and it was an eye opener.

“The first time I tore my Achilles, that was the hardest because I had never had an injury before that,” said Reese. “Being an 18-year-old kid, I had everything I wanted as far as football-wise. Having that taken away from me was difficult. Being a kid, being away from home. Trying to navigate it. Obviously, I had love and support from my family but it’s different when you’ve got to battle and look in the mirror and figure out stuff. After that, we were back to work. In order to do whatever we had to do to get me on the field, let’s do it.”

Reese petitioned and gained three years of additional eligiblity due to injuries he dealt with, then entered the transfer portal, heading to the University of California for two seasons. That’s where his game took a big step.

He finished his NCAA career in 2025, suiting up with the Syracuse Orange.

Reese was used in a variety of roles in college, playing defensive back as a freshman and later splitting time between linebacker and defensive end.

Being able to move around the defence caught the attention of the Bombers, who like to move guys around in the scheme designed by defensive coordinator Jordan Younger, making Reese a great fit as a free agent.

“He’s a pretty hungry kid. He works extremely hard, he asks a lot of questions, he’s always trying to learn,” said O’Shea. “Another one of those guys who is extremely versatile. He can come off the edge with speed, he’s got quite a bit of power and strength. He’s a compact guy. You would underestimate him if you just looked at his weight. He punches above his weight. But he’s also got the ability to sort of be off the ball too. That gives (Younger) another piece to move around as well.”

Reese has five tackles and recorded a quarterback sack two weeks ago against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, taking Jake Dolegala to the turf at the end of the game.

Reese was reluctant to celebrate since the play had to survive a challenge and subsequent review before it was official.

“It was new because they can challenge plays after, so at first I was a little skeptical that there was even going to be one,” said Reese. “I’m thankful that they gave it to me.”

Don’t be surprised if it’s the first of many.

“All I know is to hustle. I wake up and grind. That’s all I’ve ever done,” said Reese. “You get out what you put in. With all of the work I’ve put in coming back from injuries, I refuse to stop now.”

winnipegfreepress.com/kenwiebe