The Houston Gamblers signed offensive lineman Justin Redd and defensive lineman Jake Hlava for the 2024 season on Saturday.
Justin Redd is six foot four and weighs 328 pounds. The 24-year-old from Hampton, Virginia, played five seasons at Norfolk State (2017-21) playing 34 games at right guard for the Spartans. In 2021, the Spartans’ offensive line helped block for the MEAC’s top scoring (33.2), rushing (212.2 YPG), and total offense (440.5 YPG). Redd was named Second Team All-MEAC in 2019 and the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2021.
Then, Redd transferred to East Carolina in 2022 playing 13 games at left tackle for the Pirates. The Pirates’ offensive line helped East Carolina top 450-plus yards of total offense eight times and 500 or more on four occasions including a season-high 575 against South Florida (465 pass, 110 rush).
In addition, they helped running back Keaton Mitchell rush for a 1,000-yard season (1,452) for the second straight season and nine 100-plus rushing yards. East Carolina went on to play in the 2022 TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl, where they beat Coastal Carolina 53-29.
Jake Hlava is six foot three and weighs 251 pounds. The 26-year-old from Batavia, Illinois, made one tackle in one preseason game for the Ottawa Redblacks in 2023. Before Ottawa, Hlava attended the Toronto Argonauts training camp in 2022.
Collegiately, Hlava played three seasons at Northern Illinois (2015-17) playing four games for the Huskies with no stats recorded.
Then, Hlava transferred to Grand Valley State (2018-21) with 91 tackles (40 solo, 50 assists), 26.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 34 games for the Lakers. Hlava was a two-time Academic All-GLIAC performer.
