The Ottawa Redblacks have signed five players, including Canadian kicker/punter Jake Julien, American linebackers Ryan Saddler and Chizi Umunakwe, American receiver Adonicas Sanders and Global offensive lineman Roman Wahrheit.
Julien was selected by the Redblacks in the fourth round of the 2021 CFL Draft but returned to school for his final season in the hopes of increasing his NFL prospects. The six-foot-two, 217-pound specialist went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft but signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots. He was released following New England’s first preseason contest where he dressed but did not register a statistic.
The Barrie, Ontario native spent five seasons at Eastern Michigan University where he punted 221 times in 54 games, averaging 44 yards per attempt. He pinned opponents inside their 20-yard line 71 times in his career with 51 punts of his punts traveling over 50 yards.
Julien was named second-team All-Mid-American Conference as a senior and earned an invitation to perform at the College Gridiron Showcase.
Saddler played five seasons for Bryant University where he recorded 204 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, three interceptions and was named All-Big South second team in his final season with the Bulldogs.
Umunakwe registered 144 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and five sacks during his two seasons at Central Connecticut State University.
Sanders spent his final collegiate season at Temple University in 2022 where he caught 37 passes for 437 yards and two touchdowns while also carrying the ball six times for 22 yards. Prior to his time with the Owls, the six-foot-one, 190-pound pass catcher spent five seasons at Georgia Tech University where he hauled in 65 passes for 834 yards and four scores.
Wahrheit appeared in 32 games over three seasons at Towson University. The Rhauderfehn, Germany native started four games at right tackle in his final season with the Tigers. The six-foot-six, 335-pounder participated in the 2023 CFL Combine in Edmonton but went unselected in the 2023 Global Draft held earlier this month.
