The Ottawa Redblacks signed defensive linemen Vandarius Cowan and Divine Obichere, along with linebackers Tyler Wiltz and Sherrod Greene, and defensive backs Skyler Thomas and Tareke Lewis.
Vandarius Cowan is six foot four and weighs 253 pounds. The 25-year-old from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was on Ottawa’s practice squad in 2023. He originally signed with the Redblacks on September 13, 2023. Before Ottawa, Cowan made 13 tackles (8 solo, 5 assists), two tackles for loss, and one forced fumble in 11 games for the Maryland Terrapins in 2022.
Before Maryland, Cowan played one season at the University of Alabama in 2017 with two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) in seven games for the Crimson Tide. Then, he transferred to West Virginia (2018-21) with 38 tackles (21 solo, 17 assists), 6.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and one forced fumble in 17 games for the Mountaineers.
Divine Obichere is six foot two and weighs 277 pounds. The 22-year-old from Los Angeles, California, made two tackles in two preseason games for the Redblacks in 2023.
Before Ottawa, Obichere made 30 tackles (11 solo, 19 assists), 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one pass breakup in 13 games for the Broncos. He finished with the third-most tackles for loss in Boise State’s era.
Collegiately, Obichere played three seasons at Boise State (2020-22) with 61 tackles (23 solo, 28 assists), 12.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, and two pass breakups in 28 games.
Tylar Wiltz is six foot one and weighs 210 pounds. The 25-year-old from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, attended Ottawa’s training camp in 2023. Before Ottawa, Wiltz earned a rookie camp invite by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Collegiately, Wiltz played one season at Independence Community College (Missouri) in 2018 with 46 tackles (17 solo, 29 assists), 4.5 tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery in ten games for the Pirates. Then, he transferred to Missouri State (2019-21) with 212 tackles (114 solo, 98 assists), 22.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three interceptions for 87 yards, one touchdown, seven pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 33 games for the Bears. He is a two-time Second Team All-MVFC.
Then, Wiltz transferred to the University of Pittsburgh in 2022 with 50 tackles (26 solo, 24 assists), four tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 13 games for the Panthers.
Sherrod Greene is six foot one and weighs 233 pounds. The 25-year-old from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, was on Ottawa’s practice squad in 2023. The Redblacks signed Greene as a free agent on September 13, 2023. Before Ottawa, Greene signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent and attended rookie minicamp.
Collegiately, Greene played five seasons at South Carolina (2017-22) with 215 tackles (116 solo, 99 assists), 14 tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble, two interceptions for 38 yards, one touchdown, and five pass breakups in 51 games, of which 39 were starts for the Gamecocks.
Skyler Thomas is five foot nine and weighs 185 pounds. The 25-year-old from Riverside, California, attended the Redblacks training camp in 2023. Before Ottawa, he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2022 but was released during training camp.
Collegiately, Thomas played four seasons at Washington State (2016-19) with 152 tackles (89 solo, 63 assisted), 3.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions for 90 yards, 11 pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries in 28 games for the Cougars.
In his final season at Washington State, Thomas had 72 tackles, two tackles for loss, four interceptions for 72 yards, seven pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries in 28 games. In the 2019 Cheez-It Bowl, Thomas had six tackles, one interception, and one pass breakup against Air Force.
Then, Thomas transferred to Liberty in 2021 with 55 tackles (27 solo, 28 assists), four tackles for loss, two interceptions for 27 yards, one touchdown, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 13 games for the Flames.
Tareke Lewis is five foot eleven and weighs 180 pounds. The 27-year-old from Palatka, Florida, made four tackles in two CFL preseason games for the Ottawa Redblacks in 2023. The Redblacks signed Lewis as a free agent on March 23, 2023.
Before Ottawa, Lewis played two games for the San Diego Strike Force (IFL) in 2023 with one tackle. Lewis was drafted by the St. Louis Battlehawks (XFL) in the 21st round (78th pick) in the 2022 XFL Draft. In 2021, Lewis played for the Generals (TSL).
Collegiately, Lewis played two seasons at Riverside Community College (2015-16) with 46 tackles (31 solo, 15 assists), 2.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions, 129 yards, and 13 pass breakups in 19 games for the Tigers. He was named First Team All-SCFA National Division Central League in 2015.
Then, Lewis transferred to Utah (2018-19) with 32 tackles (26 solo, 6 assists), one interception for seven yards, and nine pass breakups in 25 games for the Utes.
