The Ottawa Redblacks have unveiled their official training camp roster, complete with numbers for each of the team’s new players.
Below are ten big additions to R-Nation along with the numbers they will wear this season under new head coach Paul LaPolice.
Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
LB Adam Auclair — No. 44
The younger brother of Super Bowl champion tight end Anthony Auclair was a first-round selection of the Redblacks in the 2020 CFL Draft. He’s listed as a linebacker, but the Laval product should also make an impact at safety and on special teams.
LB Micah Awe — No. 46
The 27-year-old established himself as arguably the CFL’s hardest hitter during stints with B.C. and Toronto. The Texas Tech product will look to upgrade Ottawa’s cover units on special teams while pushing Jerod Fernandez and Avery Williams for work on defence.
DL Stefan Charles — No. 96
The native of Oshawa, Ont. spent seven seasons in the NFL before reported to the Edmonton Elks late in the 2019 season. The 33-year-old signed with Ottawa as a free agent in February 2021 and brings elite size to the interior of the defensive line.
DL Davon Coleman — No. 9
The 30-year-old has recorded 17 sacks in just 49 career CFL games, which is pretty remarkable for a 280-pound defensive lineman. He split the 2019 season between B.C. and Toronto and should get work in R-Nation at defensive tackle.
REC Anthony Coombs — No. 8
The Winnipeg native is listed as a receiver but also has experience at running back, drawing speculation that LaPolice could use him similarly to how he used Nic Demski with the Bombers. Ottawa needs firepower on offence and Coombs could help provide some much-needed versatility.
RB Timothy Flanders — No. 20
The 29-year-old is essentially an American version of Coombs. Flanders dressed for 18 games under LaPolice in Winnipeg and spent time at both running back and receiver, recording 908 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns.
DL Cleyon Laing — No. 90
The four-time East Division all-star was Ottawa’s prized free agent acquisition in February 2020 when he was brought over from Toronto. He’s a disruptive defensive tackle who carries an all-important Canadian passport.
REC Daniel Petermann — No. 81
The McMaster product was a third-round pick of the Blue Bombers in 2018 and performed well in a crowded receiving corps, making 25 grabs for 272 yards and two touchdowns. With Brad Sinopoli retiring, Petermann could get a ton of work at slotback.
OL Jakub Szott — No. 53
The six-foot-four, 300-pound blocker was a fourth-round pick out of McMaster in the 2020 CFL Draft. There may be an opportunity for the Toronto native to see the field quickly given that Alex Mateas has retired and Alex Fontana has elected not to play this year.
SAM Don Unamba — No. 0
The 32-year-old had a sensational season in 2019, recording 46 total tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception with the Edmonton Elks. He will look to take over from Anthony Cioffi, who started all eighteen games at strong-side linebacker last season.
