The Manitoba Bison football team is pleased to announce the commitment of five former Winnipeg Rifles as Manitoba embarks on preparation for the upcoming 2009 season.

The five players are quarterback Khaleal (pronounced Kah-lee-il) Williams, receiver Jeremy Botelho, kicker/receiver Brendon Bowman, linebacker Justin Clayton and fullback Chad Young, who have all committed to the Bisons for the 2009 season.

Bison football head coach Brian Dobie enthused, “We are so proud and pleased to announce the signing of five of Manitoba's most outstanding local football players. They are the product of various high school and club systems, and have all progressed through outstanding careers with the Winnipeg Rifles football program. They come to us as highly skilled, developed and competitive, accomplished athletes, an obvious tribute to head coach Paul Normandeau and his outstanding coaches and staff at the Winnipeg Rifles.”

All five players have accomplished resumes as they join the Herd.

Williams, 21, had an award-winning season at the pivot position in 2008.

- He was named the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) Most Outstanding Offensive Player (the Peter Dalla Riva award) in the 2008 season after compiling 2008 Stats: 154 completions, 243 attempts, 63.4% completion rate, 2276 yards passing, 20 TD passes, 107.6 QB rating.
- Named The Prairie Football Conference (PFC) Most Outstanding Offensive Player in 2008
- Selected as All-Canadian Quarterback for the CJFL in 2008
- Selected to the 2008 PFC All-Star team
- Named CJFL player of the week twice during the 2008 season
- Named PFC's offensive player of the week three times during the 2008 season
- Earned the Rifles 2008 Most Valuable Player honour

In addition, the 6'1”, 205 lb quarterback played high school football for Sisler High School and in 2005, played for the gold medal winning Under 19 Manitoba Provincial team where Williams was named the MVP of the tournament. The Winnipeg native began with the Winnipeg Rifles in 2005.

Botelho, 22, had another strong season at the receiver position in 2008.

- 2008 PFC's Special Teams Player of the Year
- 2008 All-Canadian Wide Receiver for the CJFL
- Selected as a PFC All-Star team for the fourth time in 2008
- In 2008, he was the team top receiver with 50 receptions for 732 yards, 14.6 avg., seven TDs plus added 27 punt returns for 241 yards (8.9 avg.) and 1 TD with 11 kickoff returns for 210 yards (19.1 avg.)
- Practiced with the CFL Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the 2008 season
- Earned the Rifles 2008 Special Teams Most Valuable Player honour
- Upon leaving the Rifles, Botelho holds the team records for All-time points leader, All-time TD\'s leader, All-time receiver TD\'s, All-time receptions leader and All-time receiving yards leader

Prior to the five years with the Rifles, the 6'0”, 175 lb wide out played high school football for Sisler High School and was named team MVP and Male Athlete of the Year in 2004. In 2004, the Winnipeg native was selected for the Manitoba provincial football team and led the Canada Cup in receiving yards.

Bowman, 22, had a versatile season at receiver and kicking position in 2008.

- Finished top Rifles and fifth in PFC in overall scoring with 53 points in 2008
- In 2008, he was second on team and fifth in PFC with 30 receptions for 524 yards (17.5 avg.) and six touchdowns
- Ranked second in PFC with 33.2 punt yard avg. (net)
- Earned the Rifles 2008 Leadership award
- After four seasons with Rifles, Bowman was second in team All-time receiving catches and yards

The Winnipeg native played high school football for River East Kodiaks and in 2005, played for the gold medal winning Under 19 Manitoba Provincial team and earned All-Star recognition plus received MVP in the gold medal game catching three passes for 120 yards and 2 TDs. In 2004, won most outstanding offensive player and ANAVET ALL-Star.

Clayton, 22, had a good season at linebacker and safety position in 2008 prior to injury.

- Selected to PFC All-Star team in 2008
- Named PFC's defensive player of the week during the 2008 season
- Attended the 2008 Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camp as a linebacker
- Played five of eight conference games before injury sidelined him; prior to injury, Clayton led PFC in defensive stats with 21 solo tackles, 12 assists, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 interception for 43 yards in four full games
- Earned the Rifles 2008 Defensive Most Valuable Player honour

Prior to the five years with the Rifles, the 6'3”, 220 lb linebacker played football with the Fort Garry Lions and won two provincial championships in high school. In 2005, the Winnipeg native played for the gold medal winning Under 19 Manitoba Provincial team and was captain of the defence plus earned All-Star recognition. His brother Riley Clayton already played for the Manitoba Bisons.


Young, 22, had a productive season after switching to fullback position in 2008.

- Earned the Rifles 2008 Outstanding Graduating Player honour

He played five years with the Rifles, the 6'2”, 230 lb fullback was an offensive lineman when he started with the Rifles and earned PFC Rookie All-Star Offensive Line and PFC All-Star Team Offensive Line. The Winnipeg native also played at Fort Richmond Collegiate and the Fort Garry Lions.


Dobie continued, “The signing of these five athletes further shows the tremendous pride in our own backyard, between the highly respected Winnipeg Rifles program and the University of Manitoba Bisons. It is our privilege to welcome Khaleal Williams, Jeremy Botelho, Brendon Bowman, Justin Clayton and Chad Young to our Bison family.”