After locking up a long list of pending free agents like QB Dominique Davis, OL Nolan MacMillan, and DB Sherrod Baltimore early this offseason, big changes came to the roster quickly as CFL Free Agency opened.
With lots of new faces now in red and black, let’s take a deeper dive into just who will be reppin’ RNation this season.
Chris Randle, DB
Though not an official CFLFA signing, defensive back Chris Randle comes to Ottawa after being released by the Blue Bombers. The 30-year-old, 5-foot-11, 188 lbs California native played five seasons in Winnipeg, appeared in a total of 75 regular season games for the Bombers where he accumulated 12 interceptions, two sacks, and three forced fumbles. He also made 217 defensive tackles.
Jonathon Jennings, QB
Jennings joins the squad after playing his entire four-year career out west with the BC Lions. He had 980 completions for 12,497 yards and 66 touchdowns in 51 career games. His best season so far came in 2016 when the Ohio native threw for 5,226 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Jennings joins a talented group of quarterbacks where he’ll battle for the starters job with Dominique Davis, Danny Collins and Will Ardnt.
Ryan Lankford, REC/KR
The 27-year-old comes to Ottawa on a one-year contract after playing the last two seasons for the Blue Bombers. Though primarily utilized as a kick returner in Winnipeg, Lankford has been touted by his former teammates as a jack of all trades.
Prior to that, the Florida native spent time with the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Troy Stoudermire, DB/KR
The 28-year-old defensive back and return specialist has 36 CFL games experience with the Stampeders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Edmonton Eskimos, the Texas native has 1,969 kick return yards and 1,366 punt return yards in 36 games.
Philippe Gagnon, OL
Gagnon comes to Ottawa from Montreal, where the 26-year-old Laval product spent three seasons, suiting up for 36 games with the Alouettes. The 6-foot-4, 311-pound guard was selected second overall by the Alouettes in 2016.
Nicolas Boulay, LB
Boulay, who is from Magog, QC and went to school at Sherbrooke has spent all six seasons of his CFL career with the Montreal Alouettes. In 97 career games, the 6-foot, 220-pound 29-year-old has 69 special teams tackles, 33 defensive tackles and a forced fumble.
Caleb Holley, REC
The native of Anchorage, AK is will be entering his fourth CFL season in 2019 after playing three years with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. In 33 games out west, the 28-year-old had 109 catches for 1,476 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 13.5 yards per reception.
Kevin Francis, LB
The Toronto native out of North Carolina A&T has been with the Saskatchewan Roughriders the past three seasons, recording 29 special teams tackles, 15 defensive tackles and two forced fumbles in 45 games.
Nate Behar, REC
The former Carleton Ravens star had 27 receptions for 257 yards and a touchdown last year for the Edmonton Eskimos, who drafted him fifth overall in 2017. He started seven games for the Esks last season.
Behar returns to Ottawa after a university career that saw him catch for 2,577 yards and 21 touchdowns in 30 games for the Ravens, twice earning All-Canadian honours.
The Ottawa REDBLACKS will kick off their 2019 schedule with a rematch of the 106th Grey Cup game in Calgary before welcoming the Saskatchewan Roughriders in their home opener at TD Place. Fans can join Forever RNation today and experience every game at TD Place this season. Details about season-seat membership and the 2019 CFL schedule are available by clicking here.
