The Ottawa Redblacks re-signed linebacker Frankie Griffin to a one-year contract on Friday. In addition, the Redblacks signed former Global Draft pick Edris Jean-Alphonse and defensive lineman Bryce Rodgers.
Frankie Griffin, a 27-year-old from Spring, Texas, had 35 tackles in eight games for the Redblacks in 2022. This will be Griffin’s third season in Ottawa. He signed with Ottawa as a free agent in 2021. In two seasons, Griffin made 48 tackles in 16 games.
In 2020, Griffin signed with the Green Bay Packers but was released during training camp. Collegiately, Griffin played four seasons at Texas State (2016-19) with 258 tackles, 7.5 sacks, four pass breakups, seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and one blocked kick in 44 games for the Bobcats.
In his final season, Griffin made 67 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick in 11 games. Griffin was named 2018 Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt, and 2017 All-Sun Belt Conference Third Team.
Edris Jean-Alphonse, a 26-year-old from Bobigny, France, played four games for the Redblacks after spending most of the season on the practice squad. The Redblacks drafted Jean-Alphonse in the second round (11th pick) in the 2022 CFL Global Draft.
Collegiately, Jean-Alphonse played at Veins of Thetford Mines before transferring to Laval (2019, 2021) with four tackles and one pass breakup in five games.
Bryce Rodgers, a 24-year-old from Hayward, California, signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent but was released during training camp. Collegiately, Rodgers played six seasons at UC Davis (2016-21) with 174 tackles, 11.5 sacks, one pass breakup, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two blocked kicks in 54 games for the Aggies.
In his final season, Rodgers made 51 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick in 12 games. Rodgers was named All-Big Sky Conference First Team. He is a three-time All-Big Sky selection.
