With training camp just days away and the CFL preseason games a few weeks away, football talk is back in full force. After dominating the East Division last season, the Ottawa Redblacks training camp is about to kick off with a few interesting players that could draw some attention. What can fans expect from these players?
Ottawa Redblacks Training Camp: Players To Watch
Offensive Lineman, Jason Lauzon-Seguin
The Ottawa Redblacks picked Jason Lauzon-Seguin in the first round (seventh overall) at the CFL draft this year. He is a big man at 6-foot-4, 300 pounds. He has the strength and athletic ability to be put pretty much anywhere on the field – tackle, guard, or centre. He is expected to be a starter on the team this season, and expect him to have immediate impact wherever on the field he might be.
Defensive Lineman, Moton Hopkins
The 29-year old defensive lineman has been with the Redblacks ever since the expansion draft in December 2013. Despite only playing seven games in his first season with Ottawa, they got a bigger picture of what he was about last season playing 17 games, making 25 tackles, five sacks, and an interception. With the losses of two key defensive linemen (Justin Capicciotti and Shawn Lemon) in the off-season, Moton Hopkins is ready to step up in a full season of football and rack up those sacks.
Defensive Lineman, Aston Whiteside
Despite suffering a season-ending injury last season, Aston Whiteside looks to get back off from where he started last season with the Redblacks. He was only was able to play five games due to his injury, but during those five games, he racked up 13 tackles and seven sacks. After Whiteside’s injury, the Redblacks went and signed Lemon. In his nine games with Ottawa, he racked up 13 defensive tackles and six sacks. The statistics are very similar between the two players. Whiteside will be ready to get back into action for the 2016 season, take Lemon’s spot back on the roster, and step up for the team.
Quarterback, Trevor Harris
After the Toronto Argonauts starting quarterback, Ricky Ray, got injured last year and spent most of the regular season recovering, Trevor Harris stepped into the starter role in a big way. He lead the league last year with the most number yards and touchdowns. In 18 games, he collected 382 completions on 538 attempts (71% completion), 4354 yards, 33 touchdowns, 19 interceptions and an 8.1 average yardage per play. He has proved that he is a worthy starting quarterback and he will be fighting for the starting role even for this season for Ottawa. Despite Henry Burris coming off his best season in his career and winning the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player Award, he will have even more competition this year to keep his spot as the starting quarterback.
Running Back, William Powell
After running back Jeremiah Johnson went down last season with an injury, William Powell came into Ottawa’s roster and immediately stepped up to the task. He was very effective, posting 76 rushes, 447 yards, and two touchdowns. Johnson had one more yard than Powell, however, with 21 more rushing attempts. Powell has also proven he can be a threat on the receiving end of the game posting 19 receptions, 158 yards, and a touchdown. He is set to be the starting running back. If he can keep up his stats and his huge amount of speed, he is in for a breakout season.
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