The German-born linebacker is set to start his North American pro career in Manitoba.
Former Buffalo outside linebacker Fabian Weitz is set to continue his professional career in Canada, as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers selected Weitz with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 CFL Global Draft on Tuesday morning.
The CFL is unique in North American football scene as it enforces a strict “game rule ratio” by nationality for roster management, which requires teams to field at minimum one player from outside Canada and the United States.
To help fill out the rosters, the CFL created the Global Draft, which allows the Scouting Bureau to identify players from around the world for selection to the league. The practice first started in 2021, with the league previously holding separate entry drafts for Mexican and European players to that point. The Global Draft has since expanded to include Asia and Oceania.
Weitz was eligible for selection this season after declaring for the NFL Draft following a year of service with his hometown Cologne Centurions of the European League of American Football.
In his five years at Buffalo, Weitz had 12 tackles and one start over 22 game appearances, mainly participating as a special teams ace and reserve outside linebacker. Weitz returned home to play in Cologne after graduating, collecting 20 tackles and a fumble recovery in five contests in 2023.
Winnipeg was the league’s most dominant team in 2023, finishing the regular season with a 14-4 record and scoring 594 points to just 377 allowed. Weitz will join a defensive unit which allowed just 319.6 yards per game last season, nearly 30 yards less on average per game than the second place team in the league.
He should slot in as a special teams contributor right away, though he does join a crowded linebacker room which currently holds nine players not including himself.
The CFL preseason starts on Monday, May 20th, when the Blue Bombers take on the Sasketchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium.