The Ottawa Redblacks signed former Ohio running back De’Montre Tuggle, former Stanford defensive lineman Thomas Schaffer, and former Virginia State offensive lineman Frank Ball on Monday.
De’Montre Tuggle is five foot ten and weighs 198 pounds. The 24-year-old from Channelview, Texas, was drafted by the Arlington Renegades (XFL) in the second round (10th pick) of the 2022 XFL Draft but was released at the end of training camp. Before Arlington, Tuggle signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent but was released during training camp.
Collegiately, Tuggle played two seasons at Kilgore College (2017-18) with 176 carries for 1,180 yards, nine touchdowns, 20 catches for 375 yards, and six touchdowns in 21 games for the Rangers. He was named Second Team All-Southwest Conference in 2018.
Then, he transferred to Ohio (2019-21) with 287 carries for 1,838 yards, 24 touchdowns, 32 catches for 277 yards, three touchdowns, 28 kick returns for 675 yards, and two touchdowns in 26 games for the Bobcats.
Thomas Schaffer is six foot seven and weighs 301 pounds. The 27-year-old from Vienna, Austria, played for the Raiders Tirol of the European League of Football (ELF) with nine tackles, four tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery in four games. Last month, he signed with the Vienna Vikings and was set to become an offensive lineman.
Before Raiders Tirol, Schaffer signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent and attended rookie mini-camp. He was released by the Bears on June 18th.
Collegiately, Schaffer played four seasons at Stanford (2017-20) with 37 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble in 26 games for the Cardinal. He won the Frank Rehm Award in 2020. Schaffer became the first Austrian to play in FBS Football.
Frank Ball is six foot three and weighs 285 pounds. The 26-year-old from Hampton, Virginia, was with the Seattle Sea Dragons (XFL) after they drafted him in the seventh round (51st pick) of the 2022 XFL Draft.
Collegiately, Ball played 36 games in five seasons at Virginia State (2015-19) at left tackle for the Trojans. Ball led one of the best offensive line units ranking second in the CIAA.
The Trojans gave up the least amount of sacks allowed (15) and eclipsed 200 yards rushing in 8 of 10 games during the 2019 season. He is a three-time First Team All-CIAA.
