Canadian offensive lineman Jacob Ruby signs with Ottawa Redblacks

When Ottawa Redblacks fans, or CFL fans in general think about this year’s off-season transactions, and moves they’d like to see made by their team, they likely think first about the players that are to become free agents on their own team. They would circle some names that they’d like to see back with them, and then look at other teams’ free agent lists, circling names that would be good fits for them, but a lot of the time, fans forget about some players that may already be available as free agents. Well, the Ottawa Redblacks did not forget.

New general manager Shawn Burke signed Canadian offensive lineman Jacob Ruby on Monday. Ruby has been out of football since being released in August by the Edmonton Elks because of fake vaccination documents he presented to the team.

Of course, it is not a good look for Ruby in that situation, however he has now been granted a second chance at playing the game he loves, now with the Ottawa Redblacks.

After signing with the Redblacks, Ruby commented “I am extremely excited and proud to be an Ottawa REDBLACK, I want to thank Shawn Burke and Coach LaPolice for making this decision an easy one. I can’t wait to get to work for RNation. Go REDBLACKS!” Prior to coming to the Nation’s Capital Ruby has been in the CFL for 6 seasons, two with Montreal and four with Edmonton. He’s played in a total 63 regular season games over the 6 seasons and is expected to play the next 36 with the Redblacks, signing a 2 year deal with Ottawa.

The Ottawa Redblacks still have yet to re-sign other Canadian offensive linemen Mark Korte and Nolan MacMillan. Korte was considered to be one of the best players across the Redblacks roster in 2021. It would be a huge loss if he were to sign elsewhere, especially after the struggles the team faced up front. Whether or not Korte and MacMillan re-sign with the Redblacks within the next couple of weeks before CFL free agency opens up will likely decide what Burke and his front office do during free agency. If they do not return to Ottawa, they are expected to sign some big names for the offensive line.

Free agency opens at 12:00 PM eastern on February 8th.