Third time no harm

There were a few unexpected bumps in the road for Collin Kornelson on the way to making his professional debut with his hometown Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

He was chosen in the fifth round of the 2023 CFL Draft by the Bombers, but still had two years of U Sports eligibility left, so they sent the defensive tackle back to the Manitoba Bisons for some additional seasoning that fall. He ended up tearing his pectoral muscle midway through the year which forced him to rehab all winter.

He recovered in time for Blue and Gold training camp in 2024, only to break his foot on one of the final days. The setback led to him playing out his senior year at the U of M in 2024, before trying out for the Bombers for a third time this spring.

The 25-year-old got through camp unscathed this time and impressed enough to earn a roster spot for the team’s season-opening 34-20 victory over the B.C. Lions last week at home.

“I kind of just did it the long way. It took three tries, and now we finally made it. It was honestly like a relief,” Kornelson, who backed up Jake Thomas and Devin Adams at DT last Thursday while also helping out on special teams, said after Tuesday’s practice.

“It was a lot of hard work and it meant a lot for it to all pay off in the end.”

Since he grew up in Winnipeg, Kornelson felt he knew what to expect on game day. That turned out to not be the case.

He had a group of 10 supporters in the stands cheering him on, and his parents will also make the trip to Vancouver this weekend to see their son and the Bombers challenge the Lions (1-1) at BC Place on Saturday in a rematch.

“It was honestly surreal. You know when you watch games, you know it’s loud, but when you’re on the sideline and you can’t hear what someone is saying next to you, it’s a crazy feeling,” he said.

“I didn’t know it was going to be that loud.”

In 2023, Kornelson didn’t think the Bombers would take him, as one round earlier they selected defensive tackle Tanner Schmekel out of Regina. He figured the club would look at a different position group with their final picks, so he went outside for some fresh air when Round 5 got underway, only for his family to run out and inform him soon after that the Bombers drafted him at pick No. 44.

“He has shown a lot of growth over these three training camps now. On a personal level, you’re really excited for the guy, especially being on his hometown team, it’s a pretty cool story,” said the veteran Thomas of his young teammate. “I think this year, he came back a little leaner and has been moving really well. You could see in the first week he’s now running on special teams which you don’t normally see from a 280-290 pound D-tackle. I think he’s reshaped his body and he’s moving really well.”

Rourke limited in practice

B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke was a limited participant at practice on Tuesday with a core injury. Rourke left in the fourth quarter of last week’s game in Winnipeg, and his status for Saturday’s tilt remains up in the air.

“Yeah, I want to play, especially since we don’t play these guys again for the rest of the regular season. I don’t feel like I played my best the other night, so it means a little more,” Rourke told reporters on Tuesday.

”I’d love to get back and get this one. Not only do I think we have the guys that are capable to win without me, it is a long season and this is one of those things that could turn into a longer injury if not handled right. That’s why we’re taking it day by day.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca