The Ottawa Redblacks made several moves on Thursday. First, they signed CFL Draft Pick running back Amlicar Polk, along with signing long-snapper Blaise Barber. Ottawa also released linebacker Shaydon Philip and defensive lineman Will Kiely.
Amlicar Polk is five foot ten and weighs 200 pounds. The 24-year-old from Hamilton, Ontario, had 45 carries for 295 yards, three touchdowns, seven catches for 139 yards, and one touchdown in eight games for the Gee-Gees in 2022. He was named Lumsden-Avery Award for Sportsmanship and Dedication in 2022.
The Redblacks drafted Polk in the seventh round (58th pick) of the 2023 CFL Draft. Collegiately, Polk played four seasons at the University of Ottawa (2018-19, 2021-22) with 71 carries for 404 yards, four touchdowns, 12 catches for 162 yards, one touchdown, and four kick returns for 88 yards in 24 games.
Blaise Barber is six foot two and weighs 250 pounds. The 24-year-old from Hamilton, Ontario, signed with the Edmonton Elks in 2022 but was released during training camp. Collegiately, Barber played five seasons at McMaster University (2017-19, 2021-22) with 26 tackles (15 solo, 11 assists). He was selected to play in East-West Bowl in 2021.
Shaydon Philip is six foot four and weighs 230 pounds. The 25-year-old from St. Albert, Alberta, made one tackle on special teams in eight games for the Redblacks in 2022. The Redblacks signed him as a free agent in 2022. In 2021, he played for the Edmonton Elks with four tackles on special teams in ten games.
Collegiately, Philip played three seasons at the University of Alberta (2016-17, 2019) with 101.5 tackles, six tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, two interceptions for two yards, one sack, and 16 pass breakups in 24 games for the Golden Bears. In 2018, he played for the Edmonton Huskies (CJFL) with 19 tackles, one sack, and three pass breakups in seven games.
Will Kiely is six foot three and weighs 281 pounds. The 24-year-old from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, made two tackles in four games for the Redblacks in 2022. The Redblacks signed Kiely as a free agent in 2022.
Collegiately, Kiely played five seasons at William & Mary (2017-21) with 168 tackles (81 solo, 87 assists), 36.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 47 games for the Tribe. In his final season, Kiely made 35 tackles (15 solo, 20 assists), 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and one pass breakup in 11 games.
