The Ottawa Redblacks signed defensive back Tarvarus McFadden to the practice squad on Sunday. The Redblacks also released quarterback Jake Dunniway, defensive lineman T.J. Rayam, and defensive back Winston Rose from the practice squad.
Tarvarus McFadden is six foot two and weighs 205 pounds. The 27-year-old from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2018. He also had stints with the Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions.
Next, McFadden signed with the Tampa Bay Vipers (XFL) on December 22, 2019. He made 10 tackles (6 solo, 4 assists), two interceptions for 78 yards, and one touchdown in five games before the league shutdown due to COVID-19.
Then, McFadden signed with the Toronto Argonauts on February 15, 2021. He played two seasons making 65 tackles, five tackles on special teams, four interceptions for 28 yards, and two forced fumbles in 33 games. He is a member of the 2022 Toronto Argonauts Grey Cup Championship team. In the 2024 preseason, McFadden made six tackles against the Montreal Alouettes. McFadden was released by the Argonauts on June 2, 2024.
Collegiately, McFadden played three seasons at Florida State (2015-17) making 53 tackles (41 solo, 12 assists), three tackles for loss, eight interceptions for 16 yards, 16 pass breakups, one kick return for 26 yards, and 12 punt returns for 42 yards in 28 games for the Seminoles. He was named First Team All-ACC, First Team All-American, and the winner of the Jack Tatum Trophy in 2016.
Jake Dunniway is six foot one and weighs 211 pounds. The 24-year-old from Tracy, California, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on May 22, 2023. He played one preseason game for Ottawa against the Toronto Argonauts completing 4 of 5 passes (80%) for 28 yards before he was released on June 3, 2023. Next, the Redblacks re-signed him on July 11, 2023, and was placed on the practice squad.
In 2024, Dunniway played one preseason game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats completing one pass for seven yards and one carry for eight yards. He appeared in one regular season game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers recording no stats.
Collegiately, Dunniway played two games at UC Davis before transferring to San Diego Mesa College in 2018, completing 241 of 392 passes (61.5%) for 2,888 yards, 27 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 76 carries for 22 yards, and one touchdown in 10 games for the Olympians.
Then, Dunniway transferred to Sacramento State (2019, 2021-22) completing 410 of 674 passes (61 %) for 5,575 yards, 36 touchdowns, 23 interceptions, 74 carries for 68 yards, and one punt for 47 yards in 33 games for the Hornets. He is a two-time Third Team All-Big Sky.
T.J. Rayam is six foot and weighs 291 pounds. The 26-year-old from Edmonton, Alberta, was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders in the 2022 CFL Supplemental Draft. Rayam played two seasons in Calgary making 20 tackles and three sacks in 21 games.
The Stampeders released Rayam on May 15, 2024. Then, the Ottawa Redblacks signed Rayam on June 4, 2024, and placed him on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Rayam played five seasons at Boston College (2017-21) making 101 tackles (48 solo, 53 assists), 12 tackles for loss, two sacks, and two pass breakups in 50 games for the Eagles.
Winston Rose is five foot eleven and weighs 172 pounds. The 30-year-old from Inglewood, California, signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He also had stints with the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals.
In 2017, Rose signed with the Ottawa Redblacks. He made 21 tackles and one pass breakup in four games. Then, Rose signed with the B.C. Lions in 2018 with 32 tackles, eight tackles on special teams, and five interceptions for 111 yards in 18 games.
Then, Rose signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on February 19, 2019. In four seasons, Rose has made 161 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and 13 interceptions for 228 yards, and two touchdowns in 34 games.
Rose is a two-time Grey Cup champion, a CFL West All-Star, and a CFL All-Star. In 2023, Rose made 32 tackles and one interception in ten games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Blue Bombers let Rose’s contract expire and he became a free agent on February 13, 2024. The Redblacks signed Rose on June 11, 2024, and was placed on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Rose played three seasons at New Mexico State (2013-15) with 106 tackles (79 solo, 26 assists), three tackles for loss, five interceptions, 13 pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick in 25 games for the Lobos.
