The Ottawa Redblacks signed running back Mario Anderson Jr. and offensive lineman Julian Pearl on Monday.
Mario Anderson Jr. is five foot nine and weighs 208 pounds. The 25-year-old from Summerville, South Carolina, had 10 carries for 65 yards and three catches for 18 yards in two preseason games for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2026. The Roughriders released him on May 30, 2026.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Anderson Jr. on April 29, 2025. In 2025, he had 14 carries for 37 yards, one touchdown, and three catches for 35 yards in two preseason games. He spent three weeks on the practice squad. The Roughriders released him on June 23, 2025. They re-signed him to the practice squad on July 22, 2025. Anderson Jr. had 24 carries for 134 yards, two rushing touchdowns, and four catches for 13 yards in nine games.
Collegiately, Anderson Jr. played three seasons at Newberry College (2020-22) with 513 carries for 3,301 yards, 35 touchdowns, 21 catches for 135 yards, and two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) in 29 games for the Wolves. He was named a two-time First Team All-South Atlantic Conference, First Team Division II All-American by AP, Second Team All-American, and a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy.
Next, Anderson Jr. transferred to South Carolina in 2023 with 143 carries for 707 yards, three touchdowns, 22 catches for 153 yards, and one touchdown in 12 games for the Gamecocks.
Then, he transferred to Memphis in 2024 with 236 carries for 1,362 yards, 18 touchdowns, 52 catches for 312 yards, three touchdowns, and one kick return for 14 yards in 13 games for the Tigers. He was a candidate for the Doak Walker Award, which recognizes outstanding performance on the field, in the community, and in the classroom.
Julian Pearl is six foot six and weighs 325 pounds. The 26-year-old from Danville, Illinois, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on March 19, 2026. In 2026, he played in two preseason games. The Tiger-Cats released him on May 31, 2026.
The Baltimore Ravens signed Pearl as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024. He also spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
He played in one preseason game for the Steelers in 2025. The Michigan Panthers drafted Pearl in the first round (6th pick) of the 2024 UFL College Draft. The Panthers signed Pearl on September 17, 2025. However, the UFL held the 2026 Draft, and Pearl was not selected.
Collegiately, Pearl played six seasons at Illinois (2018-23), starting 43 of 49 games playing left tackle and right tackle for the Fighting Illini. In 2023, Illinois averaged 24.50 points per game, 126.4 rushing yards per game, 264.58 passing yards per game, 391 total yards per game, 37 touchdowns, and allowed 24 sacks, finishing 5-7 for the season. He was named a two-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
The Redblacks released defensive back Eric Cumberbatch.
Eric Cumberbatch is six foot three and weighs 185 pounds. The 23-year-old from Alexandria, Ontario, made two tackles and two tackles on special teams in two preseason games. He spent a couple of weeks on the practice squad.
The Ottawa Redblacks drafted Cumberbatch in the fifth round (42nd pick) of the 2025 CFL Draft. In 2025, he made one tackle and one tackle on special teams in 11 games.
Collegiately, Cumberbatch played four seasons at the University of Ottawa (2021-24) with 110 tackles (57 solos, 53 assists), four tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions for 46 yards, one touchdown, one fumble recovery, and 15 pass breakups in 26 games for the Gee-Gees. He was named Second Team OUA All-Star in 2022, First Team OUA All-Star in 2023, and First Team U-Sports All-Canadian in 2023.
The Redblacks also announced that running back Elijah Collins and defensive back Adrian Frye were placed on the six-game injured list.
