The Ottawa Redblacks have signed Canadian offensive lineman Peter Kourtis, American receiver JoJo Ward, and American defensive back Skyler Thomas.
Kourtis was a fifth-round pick of the Edmonton Elks in the 2021 CFL Draft out of Saint Mary’s University. The Toronto native participated in training camp with the team that same year but was sent back to school with the Huskies. He played 10 games over the 2021 and 2022 seasons to complete his U Sports eligibility.
The six-foot-six, 300-pound blocker was named an AUS all-star at centre this past season before departing Canada to play professionally in Europe.
Ward started his collegiate career at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas before transferring to Hawaii for his junior year. He played two seasons with the Rainbow Warriors and made 116 receptions for 1,999 yards and 20 touchdowns.
The five-foot-nine, 175-pound target went unselected in the 2020 NFL Draft but spent that entire season on the practice roster with the Arizona Cardinals. He had a brief stint with the Cleveland Browns in 2021 before signing with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL in 2022, making 16 catches for 110 yards and one touchdown along with 15 kick returns for 403 yards.
Thomas played three seasons at Washington State after reshirting in 2016. He dressed for 28 games as a safety and recorded 152 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 12 pass knockdowns, six interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. In 2019, he led the Cougars with four interceptions.
The five-foot-nine, 185-pound defender transferred to Liberty for his final season of college football before a brief stint with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022.
