Just about eight hours south and east of Princess Auto Stadium — straight down Highway 75 to I-29, then a slight turn at Fargo all the way to Mankato — is the home base of the Minnesota State University Mavericks.
That Division II school’s most notable football alum is long-time Minnesota Vikings receiver Adam Thielen, but it has also gifted Winnipeg Blue Bombers fans with last season’s Canadian Football League Most Outstanding Rookie/Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in Trey Vaval.
And this smaller program which calls the 7,500-seat Blakeslee Stadium home may soon be providing the Blue Bombers with another player in cornerback Alijah McGhee, the former member of the Ottawa RedBlacks, who has been running with the starters through the first three days of training camp.
It turns out Vaval and McGhee have more in common than just calling Minnesota State their alma mater.
Alijah McGhee
“It’s amazing. Who would have thought?” McGhee told bluebombers.com in a chat this week. “I mean, this is a nine-team league, and you could be anywhere, so I see it as a blessing to continue playing with him again.
“We’re going to continue to grow together as teammates and brothers. It’s fun.”
Vaval was even more giddy at the possibility of lining up with a guy that not only was a teammate, but who lined up beside him in the Maverick secondary back in the day.
“When he called me and told me that he was coming here it was like, ‘Oh, yeah… it’s time to renew this s–t and rock out,’” Vaval said with a grin.
“Great player. When I first moved to that school he was one of the guys I clicked with instantly. My very first game playing with him he had a Pick-6 touchdown, fumble recovery touchdown… he went absolutely crazy and was named the D-2 Player of the Week.
“He just kept building on that. It’s great that he’s back up here with me. Great player.”
Most Blue Bombers fans are well aware of Vaval’s story by now — how he wedged his foot in the door here last year and not only started some games at corner but exploded as the most dangerous kick returner in the entire league.
McGhee’s path to Winnipeg has taken a similar path. After starring at Minnesota State, he was first selected by the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks in the 2023 rookie draft but didn’t sign there, instead hooking up with the RedBlacks.
Over the last three years he suited up for 19 games in Ottawa before being released late last summer. But the Blue Bombers liked his size — 6-1, 187 — and his ability to play corner and inside and signed him last November the day after the Grey Cup.
“He’s real long and athletic and always brings good effort,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “I just look at that first day of conditioning and he’s out there leading the pack.
“And then you get a guy with some pro experience — you certainly want, if you can, bring guys in that understand our game. It is difficult in those positions; you’ve got to pick it up quickly if you’re new to the CFL so if you get a chance to get a guy who has seen it before it’s a plus.”
McGhee’s approach here now in Winnipeg is the same as so many others in training camp: stack one good day after another and keep grinding.
And if he had any doubts after his exit from Ottawa, they were soon allayed when the Blue Bombers came calling.
“That felt great,” said the 26-year-old product of Warner Robins, GA. “I mean, when you hear that Winnipeg has interest, you immediately get excited. I couldn’t wait to get to work as soon as possible.
“It’s always good to have a fresh start and come to a place where they have a great winning culture. I just want to implement myself the best way I can, follow the coach’s playbook and just be the best player I can be for my teammates.
“Being a professional athlete, you know nothing is guaranteed,” he added. “After being released I just took it day by day, but I also looked in the mirror and asked what I could do better. I wouldn’t say I had sadness or doubt crept into my mind, but I will say I just wanted to get back to work.
“When I did look in the mirror, I also had to tell myself I am a good football player. If one team doesn’t want you, another does sometimes. That’s just how it is.”
Vaval, who authored such a sensational year in 2025 as a double CFL award winner, spoke this week about how he follows his own act.
Trey Vaval
He spoke about his comfort level compared this time last year — both with his surroundings and the playbook. But his approach, and his goals for this year, speak volumes about the second-year Blue Bomber.
“The mindset is still the same — I’m not on this team, I’ve got to make this team and do the best I can every single day,” he said. “I have the same mindset as when I first got here because if you don’t do that or when you get too comfortable that’s when you get gone.
“And the goal for this year? I just want us to win the Grey Cup. That’s the only thing I’ve got in my mind right now. Of course, I want to play to the best of my ability to help my team out but it’s all about getting that cup. That’s everything.”