The Houston Gamblers signed wide receiver Gene Coleman II, defensive end Chris Odom, and defensive backs Colby Richardson and Markel Roby for the 2024 season on Tuesday.
Gene Coleman II is five foot eleven and weighs 195 pounds. The 26-year-old from Montclair, New Jersey, had signed to play for the Northern Arizona Wranglers (IFL) on December 5, 2023. In 2023, he attended training camp with the Carolina Panthers.
Collegiately, Coleman II played five seasons at Delaware (2017-21) with 84 catches for 992 yards, three touchdowns, five carries for 33 yards, and 22 kick returns for 452 yards in 31 games for the Fightin’ Blue Hens.
Chris Odom is six foot three and weighs 262 pounds. The 29-year-old from Arlington, Texas, made 41 tackles (29 solo, 12 assists), eight tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and one pass breakup for the Houston Gamblers in 2022.
He was named USFL Defensive Player of the Year and the All-USFL Team. The Gamblers drafted Odom in the second round (12th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. After the Gamblers, Odom signed with the Cleveland Browns but unfortunately tore his ACL during training camp.
Before Houston, Odom signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He was acquired by the Green Bay Packers off waivers from the Falcons in 2017 and played seven regular season games with six tackles (3 solo, 3 assists).
After Green Bay, he went back to Atlanta and later with the Washington Redskins. Also in 2019, Odom played for the Salt Lake Stallions (AAF) with 10 tackles (7 solo, 3 assists) and 2.5 sacks in eight games. In 2021, Odom signed with the Calgary Stampeders with five tackles (5 solo) in three games.
Collegiately, Odom played four seasons at Arkansas State (2013-16) with 87 tackles (49 solo, 38 assists), 23 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and four pass breakups in 40 games for the Red Wolves. He was named First Team All-Sun Belt in 2016.
Colby Richardson is six foot one and weighs 190 pounds. The 25-year-old from New Orleans, Louisiana, made five tackles (4 solo, 1 assist) in two preseason games for the Detroit Lions in 2023. Before Detroit, Richardson signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Collegiately, Richardson played five seasons at McNeese State (2017-21) with 57 tackles (45 solo, 12 assists), two tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, 14 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 29 games for the Cowboys.
Then, Richardson transferred to LSU in 2022 with 12 tackles (6 solo, 6 assists) in 12 games, of which five were starts for the Tigers.
Markel Roby is six foot and weighs 190 pounds. The 24-year-old from New Orleans, Louisiana, worked out for NFL Scouts on December 12, 2022.
Collegiately, Roby played three seasons at Briar Cliff University (2017-19) with 162 tackles (99 solo, 63 assists), six tackles for loss, six interceptions, two touchdowns, and 11 pass breakups in 28 games for the Chargers. He was a two-time All-GPAC Honorable Mention.
Then, Roby transferred to Pittsburg State University (2020-21) with 49 tackles (29 solo, 20 assists), half a tackle for loss, two interceptions, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 15 games for the Gorillas.
