The Ottawa Redblacks signed wide receivers Jahquan Bloomfield and Russell Dixon, linebacker Zachary Philion, and defensive backs Daniel Okpoko, Yani Gouadfel, and Dawson Pierre on Tuesday.
Jahquan Bloomfield is six foot one and weighs 190 pounds. The 24-year-old from Katy, Texas, was drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks in the fourth round (35th pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft. In 2023, Bloomfield made 12 catches for 258 yards, one touchdown, three carries for 39 yards, one touchdown, and two tackles (2 solo) in 11 games for the Prairie View A&M Panthers.
Bloomfield played four seasons at Louisiana-Monroe (2018-21) making 20 catches for 367 yards, and 15 tackles (9 solo, 6 assists) in 32 games for the Warhawks.
Then, Bloomfield transferred to Prairie View A&M (2022-23) making 13 catches for 298 yards, two touchdowns, three carries for 39 yards, one touchdown, and two tackles (2 solo) in 17 games for the Panthers.
Russell Dixon is six foot three and weighs 230 pounds. The 23-year-old from Edmonton, Alberta, was drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks in the eighth round (67th pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Dixon played three seasons at UConn (2019-22) making three catches for 28 yards in 15 games for the Huskies. Dixon missed the entire 2023 season due to an injury and is set to play for the Carleton Ravens in 2024.
Zachary Philion is six foot one and weighs 221 pounds. The 25-year-old from Buffalo, New York, was drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks in the seventh round (58th pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Philion played one season at New Mexico Military Institute in 2019 making nine tackles (6 solo, 3 assists), one interception, and two pass breakups in eight games for the Broncos. Then, he transferred to Concordia (2021-23) making 103 tackles (69 solo, 34 assists), 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception for two yards, 10 pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 24 games for the Stingers.
Daniel Okpoko is six foot four and weighs 274 pounds. The 23-year-old from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, was drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks in the second round (11th pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Okpoko played five seasons at San Diego State (2019-23) making 35 tackles (13 solo, 22 assists), five tackles for loss, two sacks, and four pass breakups in 37 games for the Aztecs. In 2023, Okpoko made 23 tackles (9 solo, 14 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and three pass breakups in 12 games.
Yani Gouadfel is six foot three and weighs 200 pounds. A native of Mitry-Mory, France, Gouadfel was drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks in the sixth round (49th pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft.
In 2023, Gouadfel made 36 tackles (22 solo, 14 assists), 2.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions for 32 yards, one touchdown, 12 pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 10 games for the Gaiters.
He was named an AUS Defensive All-Star in 2023. At the combine, Gouadfel benched 16, a 4.69 in the 40-yard Dash, a 7.2 in the Cone Drills, and a 4.3 in the Shuttle Drills.
Gouadfel has played three seasons at Bishop’s University (2021-23) with 61 tackles (40 solo, 21 assists), 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, eight interceptions for 75 yards, one touchdown, 19 pass breakups, one fumble recovery, one carry for seven yards, completed one pass for 17 yards, one punt return for seven yards, punted the ball 136 times for 5,142 yards (37.8 AVG) with a long of 78 yards, three touchbacks, 25 from inside the 20-yard line, and 25 from 50-plus yards in 20 games.
Dawson Pierre is six foot two and weighs 219 pounds. The 23-year-old from Longueuil, Quebec, was drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks in the third round (22nd pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Pierre played four seasons at Concordia (2020-23) making 81 tackles (62 solo, 19 assists), one tackle for loss, one sack, three interceptions, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup in 23 games for the Stingers.
In 2023, Pierre made 26 tackles (20 solo, 6 assists), one tackle for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup in six games. Pierre was named an RSEQ All-Star in 2022.
