The British Columbian native had to wait a while, but his selection in the second round sends him to Winnipeg.
Gabe Wallace, a versatile and experienced offensive lineman over five years with the Buffalo Bills, will start his professional journey with the WInnipeg Blue Bombers after the Manitoba-based franchise selected him with the eighth pick of the second round in the league’s draft on Tuesday night.
Wallace, a native of Salmon Arm, British Columbia, had been identified by the league’s Scouting Bureau as one of the best Canadian-born prospects in the NCAA prior to the start of the 2023 season, with most mock projections placing him in the Top 10. Wallace was also eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft, but did not get selected or signed as an undrafted free agent.
Wallace’s unique background led him to find football at the nine-man level early in his high high school days before receiving an offer to play his final two years at the famous St. Andrew’s Prep in Alberta— where he eventually caught the eyes of then-Buffalo head coach Lance Leipold after emerging as the best offensive line prospect in Canada.
It would take some time for Wallace to see the field, redshirting his first season in 2018 before collecting 12 appearances between 2019 and 2020 as a reserve offensive lineman. Wallace earned a starting role in 2021, initially starting at right tackle before finishing the season at right guard.
Over the next two seasons, Wallace would start 25 games between four different positions on the offensive line, earning a reputation for being a mauler in the running game with his six-foot-six, 337 lb. frame leading the way for some of the MAC’s top offenses over his tenure.
His final two seasons would see his being named to the all-MAC third-team after playing at both left guard (18 starts) and left tackle (seven starts), with his final 25 appearances all being starts. Wallace competed in 49 contests as a Bull, with 37 starts, missing just one game after the 2019 season.
Wallace will join the Blue Bombers for their preseason camps in May, aiming to compete for a starting role along a front five which helped anchor the league’s best offense in total yards (431.4), rushing yards per game (139.1), possession time per game (32:49) and points per game (33.0). The Blue Bombers were also second-best in sacks allowed (36) and passing yards per game (292.4).
He’ll also join fellow Bull Fabian Weitz, who was drafted earlier in the day by Winnipeg in the league’s Global Draft.
The CFL preseason starts on Monday, May 20th vs. the Sasketchewan Roughriders.