The Ottawa Redblacks made several moves on Tuesday. They added running back De’Montre Tuggle, defensive back Deandre Lamont, and defensive lineman Tre Hornbuckle to the practice squad.
In addition, Ottawa released offensive lineman Eric Starczala and defensive back Daniel Valente and added defensive back Brandin Dandridge to the active roster. Dandridge is coming off the six-game injured list.
De’Montre Tuggle is five foot ten and weighs 198 pounds. The 24-year-old from Channelview, Texas, had played four games for the Redblacks this year with 32 carries for 176 yards, one touchdown, and two kick returns for 33 yards. He had a big game for the Redblacks in Week 4 against the Elks with 17 carries for 126 yards, and one touchdown.
Before Ottawa, he 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.
Deandre Lamont is five foot eleven and weighs 190 pounds. The 24-year-old from Baytown, Texas, played five games for the Redblacks this year with seven tackles. Before Ottawa, he played at Illinois State in 2022 with 68 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception for three yards, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 11 games for the Redbirds.
Before Illinois State, Lamont played five seasons at Central Arkansas (2017-21) with 150 tackles, five tackles for loss, five interceptions for 35 yards, 20 pass breakups, one forced fumble, five fumble recoveries, and one blocked kick in 37 games for the Bears. He was a preseason All-ASUN selection in 2021.
Tre Hornbuckle is six foot four and weighs 255 pounds. The 25-year-old from Murray, Missouri, returns to the Redblacks’ practice squad. He played two seasons for Ottawa with 24 tackles and five sacks in 20 games, of which five were starts.
Before Ottawa, he played one season for the Spokane Shock (IFL) with 30 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble in seven games. Collegiately, Hornbuckle played four seasons at Duke (2016-19) with 128 tackles (51 solo, 77 assists), six sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup in 49 games for the Blue Devils. He is a two-time All-ACC academic selection.
Eric Starczala is six foot five and weighs 315 pounds. The 26-year-old from Cambridge, Ontario, was on the Redblacks practice squad earlier this year before he was released on July 13, 2023, and later re-signed with them six days later. He signed with Ottawa on December 12, 2022.
Before Ottawa, Starczala was drafted by the Toronto Argonauts in the seventh round (62nd pick) in the 2019 CFL Draft from Guelph. Starczala played 17 games in five seasons at Guelph (2015-19) playing right tackle and is a two-time OUA Second-Team All-Star.
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 9, 2023, before re-signing with them 23 days later. 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.
Brandin Dandridge is five foot eleven and weighs 183 pounds. The 26-year-old from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, has played seven games for the Redblacks in 2023 with 13 tackles, four interceptions, one touchdown, and one forced fumble.
Last year, he made 14 tackles, two forced fumbles, and one touchdown in six games for the Redblacks. He returned to the Redblacks after attending training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs. This will be his fourth season in Ottawa. In three seasons, Dandridge has 38 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one touchdown in 18 games.
Dandridge played five seasons at Missouri Western (2014-18) with 131 tackles, 50 pass breakups, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, one blocked kick, 11 interceptions, two kick returns for 43 yards, and 27 punt returns for 361 yards, and one touchdown in 46 games for the Griffons. He was named Second Team All-MIAA (Defensive Back) and First Team All-MIAA (Returner) in 2018.
