The Ottawa Redblacks signed former Houston Gamblers wide receiver JoJo Ward and former Elks’ draft pick offensive lineman Peter Kourtis.
JoJo Ward is five foot nine and weighs 175 pounds. The 25-year-old from Waco, Texas, caught 16 passes for 110 yards (15.7 yards per game), and one touchdown in seven games for the Houston Gamblers, of which two were starts. The Gamblers drafted Ward in the 14th round (111th pick) in the 2022 USFL Draft.
Before the Gamblers, Ward signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. In addition to the Cardinals, Ward had a brief stint with the Cleveland Browns.
Collegiately, Ward played two seasons at Tyler Community College (2016-17) with 78 catches for 1,012 yards, and nine touchdowns in 18 games for the Apaches.
Then, Ward transferred to Hawaii (2018-19) with 116 catches for 1,999 yards (68.9 AVG/G), 20 touchdowns, two kick returns for 31 yards, and six punt returns for 14 yards in 29 games for the Rainbow Warriors. He was named Second Team All-MWC honors.
Peter Kourtis is six foot six and weighs 300 pounds. The 25-year-old from Toronto, Ontario, attended training camp for the Edmonton Elks in 2021 and 2022. The Elks drafted Kourtis in the fifth round (41st pick) of the 2021 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Kourtis played 34 games in five seasons as a center and guard at St. Mary’s University (2017-22) with four tackles and one tackle for loss. In his final season in 2022, Kourtis played six games for the Huskies.
