The Ottawa Redblacks and quarterback Dru Brown agreed to a two-year contract through the 2025 season on Wednesday. Brown was acquired by the Redblacks last week from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for a 2024 fifth-round draft pick.
According to 3DownNation’s Justin Dunk, Brown will receive a $137,500 signing bonus and will earn $286,000 in hard money in 2024 with playtime incentives reaching a maximum possible value of $340,000. In 2025, Brown is slated to earn $355,000 in hard money with incentives reaching upwards of $400,000.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this great organization and to play in front of RNation in Ottawa,” said Brown. “I’m excited to meet the guys and get to work.”
Dru Brown is five foot eleven and weighs 191 pounds. The 26-year-old completed 62 of 89 passes (70%) for 983 yards, 9 touchdowns, 11 carries for 30 yards, and 2 touchdowns in 18 games, of which he appeared in 8 games and started three of them. In his three starts for the Blue Bombers, Brown completed 47 of 68 passes (69.1%) for 756 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 2 carries for 13 yards.
The Blue Bombers signed Brown as a free agent on March 11, 2020, but the season was canceled. Brown concluded his third season in Winnipeg completing 102 of 153 passes (67%) for 1,484 yards, 14 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 37 carries for 113 yards, and 5 touchdowns in 38 games. He is a member of the 2021 Winnipeg Blue Bombers Grey Cup championship team.
Collegiately, Brown played one season at San Mateo in 2015 completing 104 of 194 passes (53.6%) for 1,879 yards, 21 touchdowns 8 interceptions, 63 carries for 188 yards, and 6 touchdowns in 11 games for the Bulldogs.
Next, Brown transferred to Hawaii (2016-17) completing 463 of 747 passes (62%) for 5,273 yards, 37 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 146 carries for 313 yards, and 6 touchdowns in 25 games for the Rainbow Warriors. During his time in Hawaii, Brown was named Hawaii Bowl MVP in 2016 after leading the Rainbow Warriors to a 52-35 win over Middle Tennessee State.
Then, Brown transferred to Oklahoma State (2018-19) completing 72 of 107 passes (67.3%) for 810 yards, 7 touchdowns, 1 interception, 23 carries for 6 yards, and 1 touchdown in 8 games for the Cowboys.
