The Ottawa Redblacks have done an incredible job at evaluating and signing young talented players, many of which haven’t played in the CFL yet. With the draft wrapping up just over a week ago, Ottawa is putting the finishing touches on their training camp roster. 

All five of these players have spent time in the NFL recently but now find themselves looking for a new home. This group also includes three more players with ties to the USFL/XFL. Some of these players could be immediate contributors for the Redblacks. 

The most intriguing name on this list to me is: Owen Carney, DL/LB

Carney was most recently with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL but didn’t make the cut, make no mistake there is no shame in being released by the Stallions. They are one of the most successful spring football franchises of all time. 

Carney is a 6’3 275 pound pass rusher who can stand up as a linebacker in certain sets, or rush from defensive end, but also even kick inside at times. With Ottawa I expect him to focus on putting his hand in the dirt and rushing the passer as a defensive end primarily. 

Having attended Illinois University he put up solid numbers as a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end with 21.5 tackles for a loss, including 16 sacks. He declared for the 2022 NFL Draft but fell unselected. That didn’t stop him from signing a contract and participating in 3 preseason games where he showed off his ability to get to the quarterback. He managed 4 tackles, and 1.5 sacks in just 33 total snaps. In 2023 it was a similar story playing 67 snaps he produced 3 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 hurries. 

Despite this he found himself a free agent in 2024 when he began entertaining alternative options. Now landing with the Redblacks, Carney could be a break out performer if he can find playing time in a deep rotation. His ability to play inside could help him make the roster and see the field. 

Michael “MJ” Anderson, DL

Mr. Anderson first committed to Minnesota it had a tough time finding his place in the lineup, but opted to finish his career at Iowa State after seeing time in just 15 games over three years. 

Anderson presents another versatile defensive lineman that can play inside or outside depending on the situation. He is basically a spitting image of Carney at 6’3 275 pounds, but he didn’t have the same level of college production. Anderson is a low risk high reward signing that could turn into one of those moves we look back on as a steal IF he makes the roster. 

More Linebacker Depth Incoming: Caliph Brice LB

A former JUCO product Caliph Brice is no stranger to fighting his way up the ranks, or the depth chart, which is exactly what he will be asked to do with Ottawa. Ottawa has gone about reshaping their linebacker group, this off-season, and I anticipate lots of turnover versus the roster that we saw last season.

Caliph Brice could very well earn a roster spot if he performs well in camp. The former Hutchinson CC/Florida Atlantic University product left college with 237 tackles, 4 sacks, and 1 interception in 54 games. After the 2021 season he declared for the NFL Draft. He signed with Green Bay after the draft, but by the following season we found him in the XFL. 

Originally with the DC Defenders he would learn learn from Gregg Williams, and Jamie Sharper, a longtime NFL linebacker, for a short time before being traded to Houston. In Houston he got to learn under coaches like Wade Phillips, Brian Stewart, and A.J. Reisig. Not a bad group of coaches to start under. In your first professional season as a contributor. 

Playing in five games and two starts for Houston, he collected 19 tackles. Now he will fight for a roster spot with rookies Heston Lameta, Zach Philion, as well as veterans Tyron Vrede, Davion Taylor, and DeShawn Stevens. 

Isaac Moore, LT 

Isaac Moore was a first round draft pick by the Calgary Stampeders AND Philadelphia Stars just last season. Selected sixth overall, he spent a short time in the NFL before signing with Calgary. A native of Sweden Moore attended Temple where he became a mainstay at left tackle. 

The 6’6 300 pound lineman has all the tools to be a solid player at the CFL level, he just has to prove it now. He may not be the fastest, or strongest player in the league, but he knows how to keep his quarterback upright in the passing game, and he’s a road grader in the run game. He should add great depth to the offensive line for the Redblacks that struggled with depth up front last season. 

Andre Miller, WR

Andre Miller is built like a running back but plays wide receiver. Graduating from the University of Maine Miller wasn’t drafted but he found NFL interest nonetheless. 

He would sign with the New York Giants and move to tight end but it wouldn’t last long due to a broken forearm. He was placed on injured reserve where he spent the rest of the year before signing a futures deal with the Giants to return for 2023. He would be waived in late July. 

Just a week later Miller signed with the Packers where he lasted about a month before being let go. He has yet to log a professional statistic, but he will look to change that in 2024 with Ottawa. 

The 6’3 229 pound pass catcher ran an impressive 4.54 at his pro day, with an even more impressive 1.49 10-yard split. He also put up 19 reps on the bench press, a 37 inch vertical, 6.87 3-cone drill, and 4.22 short shuttle. Essentially he checked all the boxes for scouts. 

He is another low risk high reward signing who could turn into an early contributor. He has an elite skill set that just needs to be developed and used in the correct way. I wouldn’t be upset at Ottawa if he was used as a TE/FB and not a WR. I would be curious to see him run the ball once or twice. His only carry in college went for 25 yards. This Redblacks receiver room should be much improved over last season given all the talent and depth they have signed as of late. 

The Ottawa Redblacks have done an incredible job at evaluating and signing young talented players, many of which haven’t played in the CFL yet. With the draft wrapping up just over a week ago, Ottawa is putting the finishing touches on their training camp roster. 

All five of these players have spent time in the NFL recently but now find themselves looking for a new home. Some of these players could be immediate contributors for the Redblacks. 

The most intriguing name on this list to me is: Owen Carney, DL/LB

Carney was most recently with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL but didn’t make the cut, make no mistake there is no shame in being released by the Stallions. They are one of the most successful spring football franchises of all time. 

Carney is a 6’3 275 pound pass rusher who can stand up as a linebacker in certain sets, or rush from defensive end, but also even kick inside at times. With Ottawa I expect him to focus on putting his hand in the dirt and rushing the passer as a defensive end primarily. 

Having attended Illinois University he put up solid numbers as a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end with 21.5 tackles for a loss, including 16 sacks. He declared for the 2022 NFL Draft but fell unselected. That didn’t stop him from signing a contract and participating in 3 preseason games where he showed off his ability to get to the quarterback. He managed 4 tackles, and 1.5 sacks in just 33 total snaps. In 2023 it was a similar story playing 67 snaps he produced 3 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 hurries. 

Despite this he found himself a free agent in 2024 when he began entertaining alternative options. Now landing with the Redblacks, Carney could be a break out performer if he can find playing time in a deep rotation. His ability to play inside could help him make the roster and see the field. 

Michael “MJ” Anderson, DL

Mr. Anderson first committed to Minnesota it had a tough time finding his place in the lineup, but opted to finish his career at Iowa State after seeing time in just 15 games over three years. 

Anderson presents another versatile defensive lineman that can play inside or outside depending on the situation. He is basically a spitting image of Carney at 6’3 275 pounds, but he didn’t have the same level of college production. Anderson is a low risk high reward signing that could turn into one of those moves we look back on as a steal IF he makes the roster. 

More Linebacker Depth Incoming: Caliph Brice LB

A former JUCO product Caliph Brice is no stranger to fighting his way up the ranks, or the depth chart, which is exactly what he will be asked to do with Ottawa. Ottawa has gone about reshaping their linebacker group, this off-season, and I anticipate lots of turnover versus the roster that we saw last season.

Caliph Brice could very well earn a roster spot if he performs well in camp. The former Hutchinson CC/Florida Atlantic University product left college with 237 tackles, 4 sacks, and 1 interception in 54 games. After the 2021 season he declared for the NFL Draft. He signed with Green Bay after the draft, but by the following season we found him in the XFL. 

Originally with the DC Defenders he would learn learn from Gregg Williams, and Jamie Sharper, a longtime NFL linebacker, for a short time before being traded to Houston. In Houston he got to learn under coaches like Wade Phillips, Brian Stewart, and A.J. Reisig. Not a bad group of coaches to start under. In your first professional season as a contributor. 

Playing in five games and two starts for Houston, he collected 19 tackles. Now he will fight for a roster spot with rookies Heston Lameta, Zach Philion, as well as veterans Tyron Vrede, Davion Taylor, and DeShawn Stevens. 

Isaac Moore, LT 

Isaac Moore was a first round draft pick by the Calgary Stampeders AND Philadelphia Stars just last season. Selected sixth overall, he spent a short time in the NFL before signing with Calgary. A native of Sweden Moore attended Temple where he became a mainstay at left tackle. 

The 6’6 300 pound lineman has all the tools to be a solid player at the CFL level, he just has to prove it now. He may not be the fastest, or strongest player in the league, but he knows how to keep his quarterback upright in the passing game, and he’s a road grader in the run game. He should add great depth to the offensive line for the Redblacks that struggled with depth up front last season. 

Andre Miller, WR

Andre Miller is built like a running back but plays wide receiver. Graduating from the University of Maine Miller wasn’t drafted but he found NFL interest nonetheless. 

He would sign with the New York Giants and move to tight end but it wouldn’t last long due to a broken forearm. He was placed on injured reserve where he spent the rest of the year before signing a futures deal with the Giants to return for 2023. He would be waived in late July. 

Just a week later Miller signed with the Packers where he lasted about a month before being let go. He has yet to log a professional statistic, but he will look to change that in 2024 with Ottawa. 

The 6’3 229 pound pass catcher ran an impressive 4.54 at his pro day, with an even more impressive 1.49 10-yard split. He also put up 19 reps on the bench press, a 37 inch vertical, 6.87 3-cone drill, and 4.22 short shuttle. Essentially he checked all the boxes for scouts. 

He is another low risk high reward signing who could turn into an early contributor. He has an elite skill set that just needs to be developed and used in the correct way. I wouldn’t be upset at Ottawa if he was used as a TE/FB and not a WR. I would be curious to see him run the ball once or twice. His only carry in college went for 25 yards. This Redblacks receiver room should be much improved over last season given all the talent and depth they have signed as of late.