The Ottawa Redblacks signed running back Ryquell Armstead and defensive back Daniel Valente to the practice squad on Monday.
Ryquell Armstead is five foot eleven and weighs 230 pounds. The 25-year-old from Millville, New Jersey, played eight games for the D.C. Defenders in 2023 with 63 carries for 217 yards, four catches for 37 yards, and one touchdown.
Before D.C., the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Armstead in the fifth round (140th pick) in the 2019 NFL Draft. He played three seasons in Jacksonville with 50 carries for 188 yards, 17 catches for 160 yards, and two touchdowns in 18 games. After Jacksonville, Armstead had stints with the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, and Green Bay Packers.
Collegiately, Armstead played four seasons at Temple (2015-18) with 573 carries for 2,812 yards, 34 touchdowns, 29 catches for 175 yards, and two kick returns for 38 yards in 47 games for the Owls. He was named to the All-American Athletic Conference Third Team by Phil Steele in 2016.
Daniel Valente is five foot eleven and weighs 176 pounds. The 23-year-old from London, Ontario, started the season on the practice squad before he was released by the Redblacks on June 9th. The Redblacks drafted Valente in the fourth round (31st pick) in the 2022 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Valente played five seasons at Western (2017-19, 2021-22) with 100 tackles (75 solo, 50 assists), five tackles for loss, nine interceptions for 148 yards, two sacks, and four pass breakups in 35 games for the Mustangs.
