Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign former South Carolina DL Aaron Sterling

Photo: AP/Sean Rayford

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed American defensive end Aaron Sterling.

The six-foot-one, 245-pound edge rusher played five seasons at the University of South Carolina (2017-21). He recorded 114 tackles, 12 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three knockdowns over 50 career games and made 31 starts. He missed five games in 2018 and 2020 due to a knee injury.

As a “super senior” in 2021, the native of Atlanta, Ga. made 27 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one knockdown in 13 games. Sterling was able to return for a second senior season with the Gamecocks by virtue of the NCAA’s extra year of eligibility afforded by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sterling participated in South Carolina’s pro day last March and ran the forty-yard dash in 4.62 seconds, performed 19 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, and leapt 28 inches in the vertical jump.