OTTAWA – The Ottawa REDBLACKS of the Canadian Football League have added two running backs to the team’s pre-season roster: Michael Hayes from the University of Houston Cougars and Eric O’Neal from the Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers.
Hayes, a 5-foot-9, 200-pound native of East Bernard, Texas, ran for 707 yards on 136 carries and 11 touchdowns for the Cougars in 2012 and was invited to San Diego Chargers camp earlier this year.
O’Neal, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound back from Kathleen, Georgia, rushed for 781 yards and six touchdowns on 179 carries during his senior season at Coastal Carolina in 2010, adding another 247 yards and two TDs on 30 pass receptions.
The REDBLACKS now have eight players signed to contracts:
- WR Fred Rouse (Concordia Selma)
- DE DeMetrio Tyson (Jacksonville State)
- DB Nick Turnbull (Florida International)
- DB Jerrell Gavins (Boise State)
- RB Jordan Roberts (Charleston)
- QB Matt Faulkner (San Jose State)
- RB Michael Hayes (Houston)
- RB Eric O’Neal (Coastal Carolina)
The REDBLACKS’ football staff continue to assemble the team’s pre-season roster, with the CFL Expansion Draft the next major milestone on Monday, December 16. The team will select 24 players from the eight other CFL clubs, including eight import players and 16 non-imports.
The team will hold the first training camp in club history during the spring of 2014. Dates and location of camp are to be determined.
