The Ottawa Redblacks released running back Tyler Hoosman, wide receivers Kris Thornton, Joe Walker, Jayshon Jackson, Tyler Hudson, KeSean Carter, defensive linemen Owen Carney, Deyon Sizer, and Thomas Schaffer, linebackers Tylar Wiltz, Caliph Brice, and Sherrod Greene, and defensive backs Tareke Lewis, Yusuf Corker, Elijah Jones, and Bralen Trahan.
Tyler Hoosman is five foot eleven and weighs 214 pounds. The 25-year-old from Plainfield, Illinois, played two preseason games for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 with 12 carries for 43 yards, and two catches for five yards. The Chargers signed Hoosman as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. Then, Hoosman signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on November 15, 2023.
Collegiately, Hoosman played four seasons at Northern Iowa (2018-21) with 255 carries for 1,034 yards, 12 touchdowns, 10 catches for 89 yards, and one kick return for 20 yards in 34 games for the Panthers. He was a two-time All-MVFC Honorable Mention.
Then, Hoosman transferred to North Dakota in 2022 with 143 carries for 882 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 15 catches for 99 yards in 10 games for the Fighting Hawks.
Kris Thornton is five foot eight and weighs 168 pounds. The 24-year-old from Manassas, Virginia, attended a rookie minicamp with the Cleveland Browns in 2023.
Collegiately, Thornton played two seasons at Virginia Military Institute (2017-18) with 112 catches for 1,255 yards, six touchdowns, and 17 carries for 35 yards in 21 games for the Keydets. He was named SoCon All-Freshman Team in 2017.
Then, Thornton transferred to James Madison University (2020-22) with 168 catches for 2,540 yards, 23 touchdowns, 12 carries for 78 yards, one touchdown, and four kick returns for 51 yards in 33 games for the Dukes. He was a two-time First Team All-CAA and First Team All-Sun Belt.
In his JMU career, Thornton ranks second in receiving touchdowns (23), third in career receptions (168), and fourth in career receiving yards (2,540).
Joe Walker is six foot three and weighs 197 pounds. The 28-year-old from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on February 1, 2024. In 2023, Walker made 40 catches for 509 yards, three touchdowns, and seven kick returns for 155 yards in ten games for the Michigan Panthers.
Walker signed with the New Jersey Generals on October 3, 2023, but the Generals were not included in the USFL and XFL merger that formed the United Football League (UFL).
The Panthers signed Walker as a free agent on April 22, 2022. In 2022, Walker made 26 catches for 318 yards, three touchdowns, and eight punt returns for 55 yards in nine games for the Panthers in 2022.
Before Michigan, Walker signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He would later have stints with the D.C. Defenders (XFL) and Ottawa Redblacks (CFL).
Collegiately, Walker played four seasons at Delaware (2015-18) with 41 catches for 837 yards, four touchdowns, 314 carries for 1,207 yards, six touchdowns, completed 200 of 412 passes (49%) for 2,256 yards, 8 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, and four kick returns for 84 yards in 44 games for the Blue Hens.
Jayshon Jackson is five foot ten and weighs 175 pounds. The 24-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, attended the New York Jets rookie minicamp in 2023 before signing with the Ottawa Redblacks on January 8, 2024.
Collegiately, Jackson played three seasons at Cincinnati (2018-20) with 67 catches for 786 yards and three touchdowns in 36 games for the Bearcats. He was named to the 2019 AAC All-Academic Team.
Then, he transferred to Ball State (2021-22) with 142 catches for 1,652 yards, eight touchdowns, 23 carries for 138 yards, one kick return for ten yards, and 12 punt returns for 53 yards in 25 games for the Cardinals.
Tyler Hudson is six foot two and weighs 197 pounds. A native of Spring, Texas, Hudson signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on January 17, 2024. Before Ottawa, Hudson made two catches for 15 yards in three preseason games for the Los Angeles Rams in 2023. The Rams signed Hudson as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Collegiately, Hudson played three seasons at Central Arkansas (2019-21) with 167 catches for 3,062 yards, 27 touchdowns, one carry for minus-two yards, 41 punt returns for 257 yards, and one touchdown in 33 games for the Bears. He was named Second Team All-Southland Conference in 2021 and the Southland Conference Freshman of the Year in 2019.
Then, Hudson transferred to Louisville in 2022 with 69 catches for 1,034 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games for the Cardinals. He was named Second Team All-ACC after the season.
KeSean Carter is five foot eleven and weighs 180 pounds. The 27-year-old from Willis, Texas, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on November 28, 2024.
Collegiately, Carter played three seasons at Texas Tech (2018-20) with 83 catches for 831 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 4 carries for 38 yards in 26 games for the Red Raiders. In addition, Carter competed in Track and Field.
In 2019, Carter made a semi-final appearance in a stacked 60m field at the Texas Tech Classic, where he ran a 6.77, ran the 200m at the Texas Tech Shootout with a time of 21.33 seconds finishing in eighth place, and PR’d in the 60m at the Big 12 Championships with a 6.71 to earn a spot in the final, but did not race due to injury.
Then, Carter transferred to Houston (2021-22) with 64 catches for 932 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 1 carry for 6 yards in 22 games for the Cougars.
Owen Carney is six foot three and weighs 275 pounds. The 25-year-old from Miami, Florida, signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. He later signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on November 29, 2022.
In the 2023 preseason, Carney made seven tackles (3 solo, 4 assists), two sacks, and two quarterback hits in three preseason games. Then, Carney signed with the Birmingham Stallions (UFL) on January 19, 2024, but was released on March 10, 2024. The Redblacks signed Carney on May 8, 2024.
Collegiately, Carney played five seasons at the University of Illinois (2017-21) making 116 tackles (53 solo, 63 assists), 21.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, three pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 55 games for the Fighting Illini. His 16 sacks are ranked ninth in program history.
Deyon Sizer is six foot four and weighs 280 pounds. The 27-year-old from Aurora, Colorado, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on February 8, 2024.
Before Ottawa, Sizer attended a rookie minicamp with the Cleveland Browns before signing with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2019. He played one regular season game for the Broncos against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 making 1 tackle (1 assist). He would spend his last two years on Denver’s practice squad before signing with New Jersey.
In 2023, Sizer made 10 tackles (5 solo, 5 assists) in four games for the New Jersey Generals (USFL) in 2023. The Generals signed Sizer as a free agent on April 1, 2022. In 2022, Sizer made 18 tackles (11 solo, 7 assists), three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two pass breakups in seven games.
Collegiately, Sizer played four seasons at Colorado State-Pueblo (2014-18) with 138 tackles (58 solo, 80 assists), 20.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, one pass breakup, one fumble recovery, and two blocked kicks in 41 games for the Thunderwolves. He was named two-time First Team All-RMAC.
Thomas Schaffer is six foot seven and weighs 301 pounds. The 27-year-old from Vienna, Austria, made two tackles and one forced fumble for the Ottawa Redblacks in 2023. The Redblacks signed Schaffer as a free agent on May 1, 2023.
Before Ottawa, Schaffer played for the Raiders Tirol of the European League of Football (ELF) with nine tackles, four tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery in four games. Last month, he signed with the Vienna Vikings and was set to become an offensive lineman.
Before Raiders Tirol, Schaffer signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on June 14, 2021, and attended rookie mini-camp. He was released by the Bears on June 18, 2021.
Collegiately, Schaffer played four seasons at Stanford (2017-20) with 37 tackles (23 solo, 14 assists), nine tackles for loss, four sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble in 26 games for the Cardinal. He won the Frank Rehm Award in 2020. Schaffer became the first Austrian to play in FBS Football.
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 and spent most of the season on the practice squad. 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.
Caliph Brice is six foot two and weighs 233 pounds. The 24-year-old from Rock Hill, South Carolina, signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2022.
Then, the D.C. Defenders drafted Brice in the 11th round (76th pick) in the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft. He was then traded to the Houston Roughnecks, playing six games making 19 tackles (6 solo, 13 assists), two tackles for loss, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble. The Redblacks signed Brice on May 8, 2024.
Collegiately, Brice played two seasons at Hutchinson Community College (2017-18) making 122 tackles (65 solo, 57 assists), 17 tackles for loss, three sacks, one fumble recovery, one interception, two pass breakups, and two blocked kicks in 23 games for the Blue Dragons.
Then, Brice transferred to Florida Atlantic University (2019-21) making 140 tackles (58 solo, 82 assists), 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception for seven yards, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries in 30 games for the Owls.
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.
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, but released him on June 3, 2023, and later re-signed him on November 15, 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.
Yusuf Corker is six foot and weighs 197 pounds. The 25-year-old from Stockbridge, Georgia, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on March 11, 2024.
Before Cincinnati, Corker signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. Yorker made eight tackles (5 solo, 3 assists) in three preseason games before he was released on August 29, 2022. Then, Corker signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on September 1, 2022, and spent the season on the practice squad. He made one tackle (1 solo) in two preseason games for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023.
Collegiately, Corker played five seasons at Kentucky (2017-21) with 241 tackles (134 solo, 107 assists), 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble, one touchdown, 17 pass breakups, three interceptions in 50 games, of which 37 were starts for the Wildcats.
Elijah Jones is six foot and weighs 188 pounds. The 26-year-old from Cape Coral, Florida, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on February 8, 2024.
Before Ottawa, Jones signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He also had a brief stint with the San Antonio Brahmas (XFL) in 2023. Then, Jones signed with the Houston Gamblers on April 19, 2023. In 2023, Jones made five tackles (4 solo, 1 assist), one interception, and one pass breakup in seven games for the Houston Gamblers (USFL).
Collegiately, Jones played two seasons at Ellsworth Community College (2016-17) with 30 tackles (25 solo, 5 assists), half a tackle for loss, seven interceptions for 35 yards, 16 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one blocked punt in 22 games for the Panthers.
Next, he transferred to Kansas (2018-20) with 34 tackles (27 solo, 7 assists), four tackles for loss, and seven pass breakups in 19 games for the Jayhawks. Then, he transferred to Oregon State in 2021 with five tackles (3 solo, 2 assists) and one pass breakup in five games for the Beavers.
Bralen Trahan is five foot eleven and weighs 196 pounds. The 25-year-old from Lafayette, Louisiana, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on January 24, 2024.
Before Ottawa, Trahan signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2023. Trahan made eight tackles (3 solo, 5 assists), one interception for ten yards, and one pass breakup in three preseason games for the Chicago Bears in 2023.
Collegiately, Trahan played six seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette (2017-22) with 213 tackles (114 solo, 99 assists), six tackles for loss, 13 interceptions for 323 yards, one touchdown, 29 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one blocked punt in 67 games for the Ragin’ Cajuns. He was named First Team LSWA in 2020, and named Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference.
