After going 3-15 in 2019 and 3-11 in 2021, the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks have used the past few months to re-build the roster and improve for the upcoming 2022 CFL season. Beginning with the hiring of general manager Shawn Burke, and signings of key players Jeremiah Masoli, Kwaku Boateng, Darvin Adams, William Powell, Ucambre Williams as well as others, the Ottawa Redblacks already look better on paper, and are only continuing to improve.
This week, adding to their roster, the Ottawa Redblacks signed American defensive backs Marloshawn Franklin Jr, and Vince Calhoun. Franklin Jr, a Detroit, Michigan native played his collegiate career at both Mesa Community College and University of California. In 22 games with the California Golden Bears he made a total 60 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, one sack and nine pass breakups. The now 25 year old has spent time in the CFL already with the B.C Lions and has also been in the fan controlled football league as well as the European League of Football. He is also a creative director for his company called Relentless Sacrifices and the owner of Consult with Relentless. As a football player, and a business man Marloshawn Franklin Jr will come to Ottawa with an opportunity to crack a roster spot, and potentially make an impact in an already stacked defensive backfield filled with Sherrod Baltimore, Abdul Kanneh, Randall Evans, Money Hunter, Patrick Levels, Trumaine Washington and Justin Howell.
As for defensive back Vincent Calhoun, the Eastern Michigan University product made a major impact in each of his 4 seasons with the Eagles, having made 341 total tackles over his career there alongside 11 pass breakups, 7 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 3 sacks. After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft and going the past two years without a substantial opportunity, Calhoun will look to make his way onto the Redblacks roster in 2022.
These signings of these two defensive backs is just a small chunk of what the Redblacks have been able to accomplish thus far this off-season, and should make all of R-Nation excited for what is to come.
JZ MEDIA 