The Ottawa Redblacks among others over the past three years have seemingly realized the value of players coming out of the UFL. This has been reflected in their off-season moves, the release of CFL Negotiation Lists, and the recent flurry of transactions.
Names like Darta Lee, Ronheen Bingham, Levi Bell, Ryquell Armstead, Kalil Pimpleton, Kylin Hill, and more were signed following some connection to the American spring leagues. The fact is, there is no replacement for professional-level coaching, and playing time.
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Let’s look at the six players signed and where they have come from.
Darta Lee, OL
Darta Lee is not a first-time signing for the CFL. After spending time with Toronto earlier this season he has now found his way to Ottawa where he will add much-needed depth on a banged-up offensive line. The value of signing a guy like Lee is obvious he may be a CFL rookie, but he is not a professional football rookie.
While he was not a starter in 2023, he was with the 2023 XFL Champion Arlington Renegades where he played 16 snaps in 3 games. He was used as a 6th offensive lineman in jumbo sets, as well as on special teams. In his limited playing time, he graded out well as a run blocker.
This is however a player who saw over 1,600 offensive snaps in college as well. The main concern is the amount of penalties he had; 21 in his last three seasons. Lee’s main source of value is his ability to line up in multiple positions. He played both guard spots at Illinois.
Transferring to UTEP and sitting out a season he came back in 2018 and saw time at tackle for the first time in college. By the time he graduated, he had played every position except center. He also finished at arguably the most important position on the line; left tackle. Lee could get the call-up early if Ottawa continues to struggle with injuries.
Ottawa didn’t stop there, adding another offensive lineman. This particular player.
Kendrick Sartor, OL Marshall
Sartor spent six seasons at Marshall, it took him two years to work his way into the lineup for the Thundering Herd, and even then he saw action in just one game. By 2022 he was an honorable mention on PFF’s 2022 preseason All-Sunbelt team.
After college, he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and found his way into the starting lineup fairly early in the season due to injuries. It was not always pretty for Hamilton but in the process, Sartor started at right tackle in week 5 for the first time.
In week 8 he stepped in again at right tackle and helped Hamilton’s line improve over the next five weeks. He ultimately would end up back on the bench after week 12. The early childhood assistant teacher in the offseason stands 6’6 324 pounds.
What hurt his chances at an NFL contract was his pro day. The big man ran a 5.66 40-yard dash, with a 2.0 10-yard split. That in itself wouldn’t have ruined his chances, if anything he might have just kicked inside to guard. He would put up 27 reps on the bench press, with a 4.9 shuttle and 8.01 3-cone. Nothing about him athletically jumps off the page at you.
With that being said he has prototypical size and length for a tackle, coupled with some CFL starting experience which makes him a valuable addition to a very banged-up team.
Darius Hodges, DL Tulane
Hodges is a very productive college player looking for the right opportunity to shine, Ottawa may just be that opportunity. Hodges produced 18.5 sacks, and 37 tackles for a loss at Tulane. He would finish his college career by logging 10 tackles for a loss, and 7.5 sacks on the year.
Hodges came into Tulane a 245-pound “joker” and left a 280-pound defensive end. After college, he had a cup of coffee with the nearby Carolina Panthers of the NFL, before being let go late. He now joins Ottawa as a rookie trying to close out his first season on a roster. He could end up doing more than that by the end of this injury-plagued season.
Cam Bright, LB Washington
Cam Bright comes to Ottawa after a stint with the Cleveland Browns. The former Pittsburgh and Washington linebacker stands 6’0 225 pounds. During his time with Cleveland, he played both the middle linebacker and weak-side linebacker positions. His versatility will not be lost on Ottawa who has a similar player in Davion Taylor playing both weak side and middle linebacker this season.
While Bright is not quite the athlete Taylor is, he is still an above-average athlete at linebacker who showed solid ability in coverage during college. Bright was so versatile he saw snaps at cornerback early on. He also found success as a pass rusher.
At his pro day, he put up impressive numbers:
4.59 40-yard dash
35.5 inch vertical
33 reps of 225 lbs
4.38 shuttle
7.27 3-cone drill
With numbers like to go with 237 career tackles, 14 sacks, and 2 interceptions it’s no wonder he found NFL interest immediately. He has all the makings of a future CFL Star.
Clay Fields III, DB Tennessee-Chatanooga
Clay Fields is an intriguing player at the CFL level. Originally a small school prospect he spent four years with Marist before finishing his career at Tennessee Chatanooga.
Originally redshirting in 2018, he developed a role in 2019 as a rotational safety. He saw action in 32 games with 22 starts. The New Jersey native collected 169 tackles, 5 for a loss, .5 a sack, 1 fumble recovery, 7 interceptions, and 16 pass deflections.
He also showed an ability to produce with the ball in his hands totaling 533 return yards on his 7 ints, 11 kick returns, and 21 punt returns. After he transferred he would play one more season.
He appeared in 12 games starting 3. During that time collecting another 49 tackles, 10 pass deflections, and 1 interception. He was the highest-graded safety in 2023 and went on to put on a show at his pro day.
Being viewed as a nickel corner by the NFL, he signed with the Colts spending 2023 with them, before being released after the 2024 preseason.
In the CFL role may be better suited as a halfback/strongside linebacker in the mold of Ardarius Pickett. If he can provide the versatility to play both positions he could find his way on the active roster and in games quickly.
Lincoln Victor, WR Washington State
Lincoln Victor originally began his college career with Hawaii. Playing in 17 games he collected 14 offensive touches for 152 yards and 3 touchdowns, adding 23 kick returns for 511 yards. He opted to enter the transfer portal after the 2020 season.
After arriving at Washington he reached his full potential finding an immediate role with his new team. In his first year at Washington, he played in 13 games, attempting his first pass, running 4 times for 10 yards, catching 22 passes for 296 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 kick return for 17 yards adding 7 special teams tackles. After this, Washington began to try and find more ways to get him involved.
In 2022 he had 27 offensive touches for 226 yards, 22 kick returns for 445 yards, 4 tackles, and 1 forced fumble. In 2023 he had a career year with 92 offensive touches 881 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also attempted 3 passes, completing 1 for 39 yards and adding 4 kick returns for 80 yards.
Weighing in at 5’8 177 pounds, he did not run as fast as many NFL teams would have liked to see, with a 4.57 40-yard dash, and 1.6 10-yard split. He finished with an above-average 3-cone drill and vertical leap of 6.83 and 39 inches. He also had a 4.11 shuttle. His ability to play special teams helped his chances but did not make him a lock as an undrafted free agent.
After college, he was not selected in the draft signing with the Denver Broncos but lasted just 3 days before being let go. Now he has landed with Ottawa he has a bevy of CFL veterans that can help teach him the intricacies of running routes in a new league.
This latest influx of talent helps Ottawa weather the storm that is their 6-game injured list right now. With so much depth being destroyed by injuries as of late these players could be crucial down the stretch on what should be a playoff season.
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