The Ottawa Redblacks announced on Monday they signed quarterback Dustin Crum, offensive lineman Eric Starczala, defensive lineman Shaiheem Charles-Brown, linebacker Subomi Oyesoro, defensive back Daniel Valente Jr., and long-snapper Connor Ross.
Dustin Crum, a 23-year-old from Grafton, Ohio, was on the Redblacks practice squad in 2022. H attended training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this year. Collegiately, Crum played five seasons at Kent State (2017-21) with 576/864 completions for 7,401 yards, 55 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 477 carries for 2,071 yards, and 24 touchdowns in 50 games.
In the 2019 Frisco Bowl, Crum was 21/26 completions for 289 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Golden Flashes beat the Utah State Aggies 51-41, and was named MVP.
Eric Starczala, a 26-year-old from Cambridge, Ontario, was drafted by the Toronto Argonauts in the seventh round (62nd pick) in the 2019 CFL Draft from Guelph. Starczala played five seasons at Guelph (2015-19) playing 17 games at right tackle and is a two-time OUA Second-Team All-Star.
Shaiheem Charles-Brown, a 26-year-old from Montreal, Quebec, attended the Redblacks training camp earlier this year. Collegiately, Charles-Brown played three seasons at Carleton (2017-19) with 48 tackles, 6.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup in 24 games. In addition, Charles-Brown played one season for the Langley Rams (BCFC) in 2016 with 34 tackles, nine sacks, one forced fumble, two blocks, and four pass breakups in 11 games.
Subomi Oyesoro, a 20-year-old from Calgary, Alberta, was drafted by the Redblacks in the sixth round (49th pick) in the 2022 CFL Draft but elected to return to the University of Calgary (2018-19, 2021-22) for his final season. Oyesoro had 78 tackles, three pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 23 games.
Daniel Valente Jr., a 23-year-old from London, Ontario, was drafted by the Redblacks in the fourth round (31st pick) in the 2022 CFL Draft. Valente played four seasons at Western (2017-19, 2021) with 84 tackles, four interceptions, and four pass breakups in 27 games.
Connor Ross, a 23-year-old from Coldbrook, Nova Scotia, was drafted by the Redblacks in the seventh round (58th pick) in the 2022 CFL Draft but returned to St. Francis Xavier for his final season. Ross played tight end for five seasons with the X-Men (2017-22) catching 48 passes for 479 yards and three touchdowns.
