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Grad Class 2024: Winnipeg Rifles

By CJFL Media, 02/03/25, 6:30AM PST

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Seven players from 2024 move on

Photo courtesy of Matthew Hamilton

Like most teams across the CJFL, the Winnipeg Rifles have graduated several key pieces to their offence, defence and special teams.  They will need to retool and prepare to do some damage in 2025.

They say goodbye to seven players in total that have been added to the Grad Class of 2024.

DL Will Smith (pictured) is the biggest piece that has graduated on the defensive side of the ball after his All-Star performance last season.  He had 11 tackles, assisted on 12 others and had 2.5 tackles for a loss.

DL Brandyn Linklater was a nice complement piece on the line with Will Smith.  Linklater put pressure on the opposition’s quarterback and finished the season with two sacks, seven tackles, five assisted tackles, three tackles for a loss and three knockdowns. 

On Special Teams the Rifles lost their talented kick returner in Roy Tambal-Musa.  He returned 31 kicks and averaged 12.1 yards a return giving his offensive teammates good field position.  

Offensively the Rifles graduate two running backs however they didn’t handle the ball very often.  Brady Meeks rushed nine times for 22 yards and caught five passes out of the backfield averaging 9.2 yards a reception. 

RB Carson Cadieux only rushed four times last year and gained 26 yards.  He did leak out of the backfield and made two receptions for 13 yards.  

REC Shad Nkiasi was used sparingly last year making two receptions for 17 yards. 

Kicker Presley Solar MacKay was busy in 2024 so the Rifles will need to find another big leg.  He punted 59 times with a net average of 27.7 yards and even scored a single.

The CJFL wishes all of these players a happy graduation!