The Ottawa Redblacks signed five players on Tuesday, including Canadian long snapper Keegan Markgraf, American linebacker Emmanuel Beal, American running back Deon McIntosh, and American defensive backs Deandre Lamont and Tareke Lewis.
The six-foot-three, 232-pound long snapper was selected 42nd overall by the Ottawa Redblacks in the fourth round of the 2021 CFL Draft but chose to return for one final season with the Utes. He played just six games before missing the remainder with injury, but was a semi-finalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, given annually to the NCAA player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance.
The Hamilton, Ontario native walked on at the University of Utah after transferring from Central Michigan University, spending four seasons as the primary snapper for the Utes. Markgraf earned a scholarship in 2019 and the next year was named a semi-finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award as the top senior long snapper in the NCAA.
The six-foot, 214-pound Beal started 24 games over two seasons (2016-2017) with the University of Oklahoma where he recorded 176 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles and three pass breakups.
The 24-year-old McIntosh played in 28 games during his three seasons (2019-2021) at Washington State University. The six-foot, 200-pound ball carrier amassed 966 rushing yards on 179 carries, 251 receiving yards on 33 catches and scored 10 total touchdowns during his time with the Cougars. Prior to attending Washington State, the Fort Lauderdale, Florida native played one season at the University of Notre Dame (2017). During his time with the Fighting Irish, McIntosh ran the ball 65 times for 368 yards and five touchdowns.
The five-foot-11, 190-pound Lamont played one season (2022) at Illinois State University after five years (2017-2021) at the University of Central Arkansas. During his lone season with the Redbirds, the Baytown, Texas native recorded 68 total tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, four pass breakups, one forced fumble and one touchdown.
The 26-year-old Lewis played in 25 games over two seasons (2018-2019) at the University of Utah. During his tenure in Salt Lake City, the five-foot-11, 180-pound native of St. Augustine, Florida notched 32 total tackles, one interception and nine pass breakups.
