The Ottawa Redblacks signed former North Alabama defensive lineman Wallace Cowins and former Jackson State defensive back Al Young on Thursday.
Wallace Cowins, a 24-year-old from Conyers, Georgia, had 49 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one pass breakup, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in his final year with the Lions in 2021. He was named All-Big South Conference First Team.
Collegiately, Cowins played one season at Georgia Military in 2017 with 18 tackles in nine games. Then, Cowins transferred to Coastal Carolina in 2018 with eight tackles in ten games. After the season, Cowins transferred to North Alabama (2019-21) with 138 tackles, 6.5 sacks, five pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.
In 2019, Cowins was named Second Team of Phil Steele’s All-Big South Conference after making 66 tackles, two sacks, four pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 11 games.
Al Young, a 25-year-old from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent. Collegiately, Young played five seasons at Southeast Missouri State (2016-20). He made 71 tackles, seven interceptions, one touchdown, 26 pass breakups, one forced fumble, one blocked kick, two kick returns for 44 yards, and nine punt returns for 79 yards in 40 games for the Redhawks.
In his final season, Young had 15 tackles, two interceptions, one touchdown, seven pass breakups, and five punt returns for 28 yards in eight games. Then, Young went to Jackson State in 2021 as a graduate transfer with 23 tackles, two interceptions, 13 pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries in 12 games.
