The Ottawa Redblacks signed former University of Ottawa wide receiver Pierre-Willy Dimbongi and Laval defensive back Edris Jean-Alphonse on Sunday. To make room for them, the Redblacks released linebacker Patrick Nelson and wide receiver Zakariya Karim.
Pierre-Willy Dimbongi is six foot two and weighs 190 pounds. The 23-year-old from Ottawa, Ontario, played one season at the University of Ottawa in 2022 with 22 catches for 355 yards, three touchdowns, and two kick returns for 59 yards in eight games for the Gee-Gees. Before Ottawa, Dimbongi played one season at Guelph in 2019, playing five games on special teams.
Edris Jean-Alphonse is six foot and weighs 211 pounds. The 26-year-old from Bobigny, France, returns to the Redblacks after being released on May 17th. He played four games for the Redblacks in 2022. The Redblacks drafted Jean-Alphonse in the second round (11th pick) in the 2022 CFL Global Draft.
Collegiately, Jean-Alphonse played three seasons at Laval (2019-21) with two tackles (2 solo) in nine games for the Rouge Et Or. At the 2022 Combine, he recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.55), and fastest short shuttle time (4.18), and placed fifth in the broad jump (9’ 11/12”).
Patrick Nelson is six foot and weighs 216 pounds. The 26-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, made five tackles (3 DT, 2 ST) in five games in 2022 for the Redblacks.
Ottawa traded for Nelson in July for an unnamed player on the Redblacks negotiation list. Nelson was on the Ticats’ practice squad before being traded to Ottawa.
Collegiately, Nelson played three seasons at the University of Illinois (2015-17). He redshirted his freshman year due to injury and made 140 tackles, half a sack, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 22 games.
Then, Nelson transferred to Southern Methodist (2018-19) with 145 tackles, 13.5 sacks, three interceptions, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 23 games.
In 2019, he was named All-AAC First Team after making 80 tackles, 12 sacks, one interception, three pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 13 games. In addition, he was named American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team in 2018.
Zakariya Karim is five foot eleven and weighs 181 pounds. The 22-year-old from Ottawa, Ontario, signed with the Redblacks on May 22nd. Before Ottawa, he played four seasons at St. Francis Xavier (2018-19, 2021-22) with 51 receptions for 740 yards, three touchdowns, three carries for 18 yards, nine kick returns for 114 yards, and three punt returns for 28 yards in 21 games for the X-Men.
