Top pick brings ‘explosiveness off the edge’

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/05/2023 (898 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Anthony Bennett didn’t expect to wake up Wednesday morning as a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

That’s exactly what happened as the Bombers made the University of Regina defensive end the eighth overall pick in Tuesday night’s 2023 CFL Draft.

“Coach (Mike O’Shea) said himself, ‘I don’t think you’re going to drop this low, but if you do we will most certainly will get you.’ That stuck with me. I (took that to) heart,” Bennett told reporters in a conference call from Miami, Fla., on Wednesday. Bennett’s family threw him a draft party at a local sports bar called Jersey’s and surprised him by inviting old friends, teammates and teachers to celebrate.

“I know the coach is a man of his word with what he’s saying and what he’s preaching, and I can’t wait. I can’t wait. It’s all for the ‘W.’”

General manager Kyle Walters was determined to grab a defensive lineman in the first round. Although they didn’t expect to see Bennett still on the board, the Bombers were confident they were going to find someone to add to their trenches.

“Anthony certainly provides that explosiveness off the edge, with the ability to play special teams — I think that’s what separated him and, particularly, with our head coach,” said Walters.

“Mike really wanted to have more versatility with regards to guys being able to help out on special teams and Anthony was the one, when we put his numbers up against the linebackers, he was one of the more athletic defenders.”

At 26 years of age, Bennett — who hails from Weston, Fla., but has Canadian eligibility due to his mother being from Regina — isn’t your typical rookie.

“We talked about his age, but it is what it is. It’s just one of the factors,” said Walters.

“But he plays with energy, he plays with aggression. We’ve got a good team right now and he’s going to come in and we’re worried about winning right now.”

Bennett carries that energy off the field as well. Walters compared his personality to another defensive end on the team — Willie Jefferson.

“Oh dude, that’s accurate. That’s 1,000 per cent accurate. I watched his game, I aspire to be that,” said the 6-3, 230-pound Bennett.

“It’s so funny because, in my head, I was just like ‘Oh, man, if we’re together, me and him, we’re going to cause some havoc on some quarterbacks.’ I’m excited, I’m fired up. And (Jackson Jeffcoat) too. It’s going to be an exciting time. I can’t wait to see those boys. I feel like I’m home.”

Bennett set a Regina single-season record with eight sacks in 2022 en route to being named an All-Canadian and Canada West all-star. He also tied a school record for tackles for a loss in a season with 10.5.

Prior to his two seasons with the Rams, Bennett spent 2015-19 with NCAA Div. 1 football program Florida Atlantic University. He registered four tackles and a sack in 10 games played.

Bennett is the fifth member of his family to make it to the pros. His father Charles was drafted in the seventh round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears before playing three games with the Miami Dolphins. He also played one CFL game with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Green Bay Packers selected Bennett’s uncle Tony, a linebacker, with the 18th pick in the first round of the 1990 NFL Draft. Tony retired in 1997 with 64.5 career sacks. In 2001, Bennett’s cousin Michael was drafted 27th overall by the Minnesota Vikings. The running back went on to play 10 seasons in the NFL.

His older brother Andrew played wide receiver at Regina before signing a CFL deal with the Montreal Alouettes.

Bennett will make his way to Winnipeg next week for rookie camp on May 10.

“I’m a student of the game,” Bennett said.

“I’m just trying to be a sponge and learn everything. Most importantly, I love your guys’ atmosphere. I love a winning atmosphere. I love to win.”

Bombers add another kicker

The draft is over, but Walters is still making moves.

The club announced early Wednesday the signing of American kicker Marc Orozco.

The 27-year-old made 87.9 per cent of his field goals in four seasons at Grambling State and can also punt. Orozco most recently spent time with the Albany Empire of the National Arena League.

Orozco will battle with last year’s starter Marc Liegghio and Appalachian State product Chandler Staton (who was signed in March) in training camp.

“There will be a healthy kicking competition,” said Walters.

The Bombers also brought back Canadian linebacker Robbie Lowes — a Regina product who played two games for Winnipeg in 2021 and suffered a season-ending injury at last year’s training camp — and American offensive lineman offensive lineman Chris Ivy.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31