The Ottawa Redblacks signed defensive lineman Gerald Willis III and defensive back Tywan Francis on Tuesday. The Redblacks also released wide receiver Dillon Stoner, defensive linemen Jermaine McDaniel Jr. and Jamare Edwards, defensive back Kalon Gervin, and kicker Michael Domagala.
Gerald Willis III is six foot two and weighs 300 pounds. The 28-year-old from New Orleans, Louisiana, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on April 22, 2024, but was released on May 9, 2024.
Before Ottawa, Willis III signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2019. He also spent time with the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers. In 2019, he played two regular season games with the Dolphins making two tackles (2 assists).
Then, Willis III was drafted by the Orlando Guardians in the second round (9th pick) in Phase 3 of the 2022 XFL Draft. In 2023, Willis III made 24 tackles (8 solo, 16 assists), five tackles for loss, two sacks, and two forced fumbles in ten games for the Orlando Guardians (XFL)
Collegiately, Willis III played one season at Florida in 2014 making 14 tackles (6 solo, 8 assists), half a tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 8 games for the Gators.
Then, he transferred to Miami (FL) (2015-18) with 78 tackles (47 solo, 31 assists), 23.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 21 games for the Hurricanes. He was named Second Team All-ACC and Second Team All-American in 2018.
Tywan Francis is five foot eleven and weighs 195 pounds. The 24-year-old from New Orleans, Louisiana, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Collegiately, Francis played four seasons at Colorado State (2018-22) making 176 tackles (109 solo, 68 assists), five tackles for loss, one sack, 10 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one kick return for 23 yards in 40 games for the Rams. Then, Francis transferred to Temple in 2023 making 78 tackles (58 solo, 20 assists), six tackles for loss, two interceptions for two yards, and seven pass breakups in 11 games for the Owls.
Dillon Stoner is six foot and weighs 194 pounds. The 26-year-old from Tulsa, Oklahoma, signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 7, 2021. He played six games in his rookie season making one tackle (1 solo) before spending the rest of the season on the practice squad.
In 2022, Stoner made two catches for 14 yards in one preseason game against the New England Patriots. He spent the 2022 regular season on the practice squad. Stone signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on March 18, 2024. He appeared in one preseason game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2024 recording no stats.
Collegiately, Stoner played five seasons at Oklahoma State (2016-20) making 191 catches for 2,378 yards, 17 touchdowns, one carry for 12 yards, completing 2 of 4 passes (50%) for 5 yards, one touchdown, two kick returns for 23 yards, 55 punt returns for 372 yards, and seven tackles (7 solo) in 52 games for the Cowboys. Stoner was a four-time First Team All-Big 12 Academic and a two-time All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
Jermaine McDaniel Jr. is six foot four and weighs 240 pounds. The 24-year-old from Dillon, South Carolina, was drafted by the New Jersey Generals (USFL) in the seventh round (53rd pick) of the 2023 USFL Draft.
McDaniel Jr. signed with the Generals on June 1, 2023, but did not play a game for them. The Generals were not included in the USFL and XFL merger that formed the United Football League (UFL). The Ottawa Redblacks signed McDaniel Jr. on February 16, 2024. McDaniel Jr. played one preseason game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2024 making three tackles.
Collegiately, McDaniel Jr. played two seasons at Appalachian State (2017-18) with 10 tackles (6 solo, 4 assists), three tackles for loss, and two sacks in seven games for the Mountaineers.
Then, he transferred to North Carolina A&T (2019-22) making 70 tackles (50 solo, 20 assists), 12 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, 12 quarterback hits, four pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 33 games for the Aggies.
Jamare Edwards is six foot three and weighs 281 pounds. The 25-year-old from Miami, Florida, was drafted by the Vegas Vipers (XFL) in the 2023 XFL Rookie Draft. However, the Vipers were not included in the XFL and USFL merger that formed the United Football League (UFL).
The Ottawa Redblacks signed Edwards on February 1, 2024. He played one preseason game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2024 making three tackles and one sack.
Collegiately, Edwards played five seasons at Marshall University (2017-2021) with 80 tackles (17 solo, 63 assists), 12 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 33 games for the Thundering Herd.
Then, Edwards transferred to James Madison University in 2022 with 44 tackles (23 solo, 21 assists), 12.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 11 games for the Dukes. He was named Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference in 2022.
Michael Domagala is five foot nine and weighs 202 pounds. The 28-year-old from St. Catharines, Ontario, joined the Redblacks late in the 2023 season after Lewis Ward’s season ended with a torn pectoral muscle.
Domagala converted eight of nine field goals with a long 46 yards, made eight extra points, and one tackle in five games. The Redblacks released Domagala on May 7, 2024, and re-signed him five days later.
However, the Redblacks released him again on May 15, 2024, only to re-sign him on May 18, 2024. Domagala played one preseason game in 2024 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats making one field goal for 27 yards, making three extra points, and punting the ball eight times for 359 yards (44.9 AVG) with a long of 57 yards.
Before Ottawa, Domagala signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on December 18, 2018. Domagala played two seasons in Hamilton, Domagala made 19 of 26 field goals (73.1%), converted 12 of 15 extra points, and had 90 punts for 3,996 yards in 23 games.
In 2022, Domagala made 12 of 16 field goals (75%), converting four of five extra points, and 65 punts for 2,910 yards in 17 games for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Domagala signed with the Elks on February 16, 2023, and played in two preseason games with five punts for 202 yards, before he was released on June 4, 2023.
Collegiately, Domagala played six seasons at Carleton University (2013-18) making 73 of 96 field goals (76%), converting 132 field goals, and 347 punts for 13,474 yards in 42 games for the Ravens.
