Oliveira setting (blue and) gold standard in CFL

Brady Oliveira is making a case to be in the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player award conversation.

It’s a bold statement — especially since his quarterback, Zach Collaros, just threw five touchdowns in one half — but with each passing week, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back is making it harder and harder to disagree.

The 26-year-old from Winnipeg was unstoppable in Saturday’s 51-6 win over the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in the annual Banjo Bowl. He had 18 carries for 154 yards, while also catching four passes for 57 yards and a score. The University of North Dakota product could’ve had even more but was pulled with nearly 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter as the game was well in hand.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Brady Oliveira (20) runs for the first down against the Saskatchewan Roughriders during the first half of Saturday’s game. (John Woods/The Canadian Press)

Despite being only 13 games into the season, Oliveira can already call himself an 1,000 yard rusher as Saturday’s performance gives him 1,144 yards on the ground this year. He leads the league in rushing, comfortably ahead of second-place A.J. Ouellette of the Toronto Argonauts (815).

The fastest a Blue Bomber has reached the milestone is 10 games (Willard Reaves and Robert Mimbs).

Oliveira also has 368 receiving yards, a 5.93 yards per carry average, and nine touchdowns to his name this season.

“I really just think it’s the confidence that I’m gaining and stacking after every single game. There’s nothing more valuable than game reps and experience. As I continue to get these starts under my belt, I just continue to get confidence and I think the biggest thing is getting on the same page as the offensive line,” said Oliveira.

“… It’s good because I’m able to go out there and play at ease, and play freely. I can go out there and I’m just not lowering my pads no more. I can play free and make people miss because I know I’m capable of doing that.”

Oliveira has eight touchdowns in his last six games, with five coming on rushes and three through the air.

After a slow start to 2022, he rallied to end the campaign with 1,001 rushing yards and 252 receiving yards.

“His growth and development has been phenomenal to see and experience,” said right guard Patrick Neufeld.

“He’s playing half a second faster where he’s now dictating and he’s not reacting. He’s out there making things happen. He’s just such a physical presence on the field. I always say, ‘I can’t wait to hear you play’ because when he hits people it’s like an explosion out there. He’s a powerful, powerful player and he’s got the mental side to it down now too so he’s dangerous out there.”

Fair or not, Oliveira will always be compared to the tailback he replaced — Andrew Harris.

Same position, same hometown, and same high school (Oak Park) — that’s where the similarities used to end.

But now they have a whole lot in common on the football field as Oliveira is having the type of impact on games that No. 33 used to have during his time in with the Blue and Gold.

Harris, now 36 and in his second year with the Argos, won three rushing crowns in five seasons in Winnipeg.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers players celebrate Brady Oliveira’s (20) touchdown against the Saskatchewan Roughriders Saturday. (John Woods/The Canadian Press)

“Brady was a hungry kid when he came into this league in 2019. He got hurt and got the opportunity to sit behind Andrew, learn how he did it, learn his process, and learn how he gets ready for games,” said receiver and fellow Winnipegger Nic Demski.

“And in 2021, he split time with Andrew. I think he’s taken all those techniques and tools that he’s learned over these couple years and (is bringing) them into games. He did a great job of learning and picking up the CFL game. In comparison to Andrew, he’s doing all the right things… he’s definitely living up to expectations.”

To put things in perspective, Harris was already in his fourth season (2013) with the B.C. Lions at 26 — the age his protege is today. That year, Harris registered 998 rushing yards on 198 carries for a 5.0 yards per carry average and seven touchdown runs. Harris also made 61 catches for 513 yards and four touchdowns.

His most productive rushing season came in 2018 with the Bombers when he had 1,390 yards — the fourth most by a Canadian back in CFL history. Former Calgary Stampeders running back Jon Cornish set the record in 2013 — the year we won the league’s Most Outstanding Player award — with 1,813 rushing yards.

With five regular season games remaining, there’s a strong chance Oliveira will surpass Harris.

“Everyone wants to keep comparing us, but we’re totally different people. Maybe there’s some similar traits, but I think we’re different as players,” said Oliveira.

“But I’m hungry for more, man. I’m still young in my career and I know the sky’s the limit for myself. I know there’s so much more that I can continue to show what I’m capable of as a player. I’m coming for more.”

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Twitter: @TaylorAllen31