truebluefan

WINNIPEG, MB - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers added some valuable depth to their non-import ranks today with the signings of offensive lineman Riley Clayton, linebacker Anthony Maggiacomo and punter Darryl Wheeler.

As per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

"The reality is that Canadian talent is always important to a CFL team," said Bombers G.M. Brendan Taman. "All three of these young men will be given a legitimate opportunity to contribute to our team when training camp opens."

Clayton (6-5, 305, Manitoba '05, DOB: June 11, 1983 in Winnipeg, MB) spent time with the Blue Bombers in 2007 after signing with the team as a free agent on Oct. 1, 2007 but did not see any game action.

The Winnipeg product was a fourth round (27th overall) pick of the Calgary Stampeders in the 2006 CFL Canadian Draft. He played one game for the Stamps in '06, making his CFL debut on Oct. 21, 2006 versus Winnipeg.

Clayton had an outstanding collegiate football career with the University of Manitoba Bisons. He was part of a U of M offensive line that allowed the fewest quarterback sacks in the Canada West Athletic Conference in 2005. He was a Canada West All-Star and team captain and participated in the East West Bowl that season. Prior to joining the Bisons, Clayton was the offensive lineman of the year for the Winnipeg Rifles of the Prairie Junior Football Conference in 2003.

Maggiacomo (6-1, 225, Wilfrid Laurier '07, DOB: April 25, 1984 in Cambridge, Ont.) established himself as one of the top university linebackers in Canada during his five seasons as a member of the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks.

Maggiacomo was an Ontario University Athletics First Team All-Star in 2007 after registering 60.5 total tackles, including 49 solo stops, two fumble recoveries and an interception. He was also the OUA's Defensive MVP and a CIS Second Team All-Canadian that season. In his five seasons with the Golden Hawks, Maggiacomo notched 137 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and two touchdowns.

Wheeler (5-10, 190, Utah State '06, DOB: May 9, 1983 in Hamilton, Ont.) first displayed his strong leg at Saltfleet High School, where he was an All-Canada selection as a punter. He played briefly for the University of Toronto Blues in 2002 before joining the Utah State Aggies in 2004. Wheeler was the fourth-rated special teams player in the 2006 CFL Canadian Draft but went undrafted.