Drew Wolitarsky

Last updated

Drew Wolitarsky
No. 82     Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2022, 82, Drew Wolitarsky.jpg
Wolitarsky with the Blue Bombers in 2022.
Born: (1995-03-22) March 22, 1995 (age 29) [1]
Santa Clarita, California, U.S.
Career information
StatusActive
CFL status National
Position(s) Wide receiver
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight223 lb (101 kg)
College Minnesota
High school Canyon High
CFL draft 2017, Round: Supplemental
Career history
As player
2017–present Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Career highlights and awards
Career stats
Games played40
Receptions 79
Receiving yards 1,026
Receiving touchdowns 9

Drew William Wolitarsky (born March 22, 1995) is a Canadian professional football wide receiver for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). [1] He is a two-time Grey Cup champion after winning with the Blue Bombers in 2019 and 2021.

Contents

College career

Wolitarksy played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers from 2013 to 2016. [2] Over the course of his collegiate career, he played in 47 games where he recorded 130 receptions for 1,749 yards and nine touchdowns. [2] In his final game as a college athlete, in the 2016 Holiday Bowl, Wolitarsky led his team in receiving with five catches for 73 yards in the upset win over the Washington State Cougars. [2] [3]

Professional career

Following his time with the Golden Gophers, Wolitarsky was not selected in the 2017 NFL draft and had an unsuccessful tryout with the Minnesota Vikings. [4] His brother, Austin, encouraged him pursue a career in the Canadian Football League where he could qualify as a National player with a Canadian citizenship since his mother was from Montreal. [5] He applied for his citizenship, got it approved in one day, and notified the Canadian Football League Players' Association who relayed the information to the league's teams. [4] Since the 2017 CFL Draft had already passed, Wolitarsky was made eligible in a supplemental draft where he was selected by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on June 27, 2017 who forfeited a third round selection in the 2018 CFL Draft for his playing rights. [6] He signed a practice roster agreement on July 11, 2017. [7] Wolitarsky played in his first professional game on October 6, 2017 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats where he had one catch for 15 yards. [8] He played in five regular season games in his rookie season and also dressed in the team's West Semi-Final loss to the Edmonton Eskimos. [8]

Wolitarsky earned a starting position with the Blue Bombers following 2018 training camp and in his first career regular season start on June 14, 2021, against the Eskimos, he scored his first career touchdown on a 20-yard reception from his former college teammate, Chris Streveler. [9] He had a career-high 10 receptions for 90 yards in an August 25, 2018, game against the Calgary Stampeders. [8] He played and started in all 18 regular season games where he had 45 catches for 650 yards and five touchdowns. [8] [10] He also started in both post-season games where he totalled six receptions for 81 yards and one touchdown. [10]

During his third season with the Blue Bombers, Wolitarsky played and started in 17 regular season games and had 33 catches for 361 yards and four touchdowns. [10] He also played in both playoff games, recording five catches for 78 yards, leading to Wolitarsky playing in his first Grey Cup championship game. In the 107th Grey Cup, he had three catches for 40 yards as the Blue Bombers defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33-12 and Wolitarsky won his first championship. After that season, he signed a two-year extension to remain in Winnipeg through the 2021 season. [11] However, he did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season. In 2021, Wolitarsky produced 386 yards and 1 Touchdown on 32 receptions. [1]

Statistics

Receiving Regular season Post-season
YearTeamGPGSRecYardsAvgLongTDGPGSRecYardsAvgLongTD
2017 WPG 5011515.015011000.000
2018 WPG 18184565014.46052268113.5201
2019 WPG 17173336110.924433811814.8340
2020 WPG Season cancelled
2021 WPG 14143238612.13712267011.7190
CFL totals 5449791,41212.76010882026913.5341

[10]

Personal life

Wolitarksy was born in Santa Clarita, California, to John and Audrey Wolitarsky. [2] His mother was originally from Montreal where she met his father, who was from the United States but living in Montreal. [5] [12] Due to his mother's Canadian citizenship, Wolitarsky pursued his own citizenship for Canada and received it in time to be able to play in the 2017 CFL season. [12] Wolitarsky is also a musician and released his first EP on January 29, 2021. [13]

On March 8th, 2024, it was announced via instagram that he had married his fiance, Savannah Benton. The subsequently announced they were expecting on April 25th, 2024, also via their instagram.

Related Research Articles

Chris Brazzell is a former American football wide receiver in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Edmonton Eskimos, BC Lions, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He also was a member of the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Angelo State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milt Stegall</span> American gridiron football player (born 1970)

Milton Eugene Stegall is a former professional gridiron football player who played 17 years of professional football, three years in the National Football League (NFL) with the Cincinnati Bengals and 14 years in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He is currently an analyst on the CFL on TSN studio panel.

Romby Bryant is a former Canadian football wide receiver. Bryant spent the majority of his professional career playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Tulsa. He graduated from Western Heights High School in Oklahoma City in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Markus Howell</span> Canadian gridiron football player and coach (born 1975)

Markus Howell is the receivers coach for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a former professional Canadian football wide receiver and kick returner who played for 11 years for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Ottawa Renegades, and Calgary Stampeders. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2000 CFL Draft by the Blue Bombers. He won a Grey Cup championship in 2008. He played college football at Texas Southern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Moore (Canadian football)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1986)

Nicholas A. Moore is a former professional Canadian football wide receiver who played for seven years in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the BC Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He was originally signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Toledo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darvin Adams</span> American gridiron football player (born 1990)

Darvin Adams is an American professional football wide receiver who is a free agent. Adams is a two-time CFL champion, winning the 107th Grey Cup and 108th Grey Cup as part of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. First signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2011, Adams has also been a member of the Virginia Destroyers (UFL), Toronto Argonauts (CFL), and Ottawa Redblacks (CFL). He played college football at Auburn with whom he won the 2011 BCS National Championship.

Cory Watson is a wide receivers coach for the Concordia Stingers of U Sports football. He was formerly a professional Canadian football wide receiver who was drafted ninth overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2010 CFL Draft and played for five seasons with the club. He was also a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Edmonton Eskimos and BC Lions. He also played CIS football for the Stingers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarence Denmark</span> American gridiron football player (born 1985)

Clarence Traneil Denmark is a former professional Canadian football wide receiver who played in seven seasons, primarily for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Prior to his time in the CFL, Denmark played for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Mississippi Delta Community College, Troy University, and Arkansas-Monticello.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Ellingson</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Greg Ellingson is an American professional Canadian football wide receiver who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Florida International. He has also been a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans VooDoo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Storm, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Ottawa Redblacks, Edmonton Elks, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Jalen Saunders is a former gridiron football wide receiver. He was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. Saunders was also a member of the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Houston Roughnecks, Ottawa Redblacks and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He played college football at Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamar Jorden</span> American gridiron football player (born 1989)

Kamar Isaias Jorden is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Bowling Green. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He has also played for the Spokane Shock of the Arena Football League.

Troy Stoudermire is an American professional Canadian football defensive back and return specialist who plays for the Caudillos de Chihuahua of the Fútbol Americano de México. He played college football at Minnesota. He has also been a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Minnesota Vikings, Edmonton Eskimos, Calgary Stampeders, and Ottawa Redblacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rasheed Bailey</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

Rasheed Bailey is an American professional football wide receiver who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Delaware Valley. He has been a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Diego Chargers, and Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL) and the BC Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucky Whitehead</span> American gridiron football player (born 1992)

Rodney Darnell "Lucky" Whitehead Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played high school football at Osbourn High School in Manassas, Virginia. He played college football at Florida Atlantic, and was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He has also been a member of the New York Jets and BC Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Lawler</span> American gridiron football player (born 1994)

Kenneth James Lawler, Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round, 243rd overall, of the 2016 NFL draft. He played college football at California.

Rashaun Simonise is an American professional football wide receiver who is a free agent. He has been a member of the Chicago Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals, Okanagan Sun, Baltimore Brigade, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, BC Lions, Jousters, Montreal Alouettes and Edmonton Elks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K. J. Hill</span> American football player (born 1997)

Reanard O’Keith "K. J." Hill Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played high school football at North Little Rock High School in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He played college football at Ohio State. He is the all-time leading receiver for the Buckeyes with 201 career receptions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Petermann</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1995)

Daniel Petermann is a professional Canadian football wide receiver who is a free agent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dejon Brissett</span> Canadian football player (born 1996)

Dejon Brissett is a professional Canadian football wide receiver for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Richmond Spiders and the Virginia Cavaliers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richie Sindani</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1995)

Richard Sindani is a Canadian professional gridiron football wide receiver for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a Grey Cup champion after winning the 106th Grey Cup with the Calgary Stampeders. He played college football for the Regina Rams and Calgary Dinos and also played in the Canadian Junior Football League with the Calgary Colts.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Drew Wolitarsky bio". Canadian Football League . Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "New Canadian Wolitarsky an intriguing prospect". Minnesota Golden Gophers . Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Minnesota vs Washington State – Game Summary". ESPN. December 28, 2016. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Owen Mageau (September 8, 2017). "Q&A: Drew Wolitarsky on becoming a Canadian citizen and his jealousy of the current Gophers offense". Minnesota Daily.
  5. 1 2 Mike Sawatzky (July 10, 2017). "New receiver adds Canadian content". Winnipeg Free Press . Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Bombers select WR Drew Wolitarsky in Supplemental Draft". Canadian Football League. June 27, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Bombers add receiver Drew Wolitarsky to practice roster". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. July 11, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Drew Wolitarsky". Winnipeg Blue Bombers . Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Weathering the Storm: Esks outlast Bombers in season opener". Canadian Football League. June 15, 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "2021 CFL Guide" (PDF). Canadian Football League. p. 64. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  11. ↑ Ted Wymand (December 15, 2019). "Bombers sign national receiver Drew Wolitarsky to two-year contract extension". Winnipeg Sun.
  12. 1 2 "New Canadian Wolitarsky an intriguing prospect". Winnipeg Sun . July 10, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  13. ↑ Alan Small (January 29, 2021). "Bombers receiver Wolitarsky trades pigskin for guitar, releases first EP". Winnipeg Free Press . Retrieved September 5, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.