The Redblacks came away from the 2025 CFL Draft process having made a total of nine selections, including their two Global draft picks. Not all of these players will make the roster, and some may never play a snap in the CFL, however this comes with the territory of the CFL Draft and the way it is designed.
As of right now the entire CFL draft class except James Burnip are in training camp with Ottawa. Eric Cumberbatch signed late after his time in New Orleans Saints rookie mini camp, but he has now joined the team. This class has the potential to be a very impactful draft top to bottom.
Table of Contents
Global Draft Picks
Global Draft Round 1, 5th Pick
Callum Eddings K/P Stephen F Austin, Australia
Eddings began his college career with the McNeese Cowboys where he played for three seasons as the primary punter. With 156 punts, he managed to force 67 fair catches, land 50 punts inside the 20, and add 6 touchbacks. He was blocked just one time, and had 9 punts of 50 or more yards.
He finished his career with Stephen F. Austin where he continued to impress punting 44 times for 2,019 yards with a long of 67 yards producing a 45.7 yard average. He collected 12 fair catches, 5 touchbacks, 13 inside the 20, and 19 punts over 50 yards. He is listed as a kicker as well, but did not log a field goal or point after attempt in college. This could potentially change in the pros however as Richie Leone has pulled double duty at times in his career.
Eddings signed a contract with Ottawa fairly quickly after the CFL Draft. This could eventually open up some minor questions about if Ottawa will look to move on from Richie Leone longterm.
Global Draft Round 2, 14th Pick
James Burnip P Alabama, Australia
James Burnip is a massive punter standing 6’6 3/8 235 pounds. Burnip grew up playing Australian Rules Football and attended Victoria University. He eventually began training at Pro Kick Australia, a program designed to convert players to American or Canadian football.
Burnip later committed to Alabama and became one of the best punters they have ever had. He would attempt 201 punts over the next four seasons, becoming known for his big leg. Of his 201 attempts, nearly 1/4 went for 50 yards or more. He also managed 85 fair catches, 70 inside the 20, and 13 touchbacks. He also kicked off once for 48 yards. After the 2025 NFL draft concluded, he was signed by the New Orleans Saints, but soon after saw himself selected by the Redblacks in the CFL Draft solidifying a path to professional playing experience.
Special Teams Ace
The Redblacks opted to spend both Global CFL Draft picks on specialists. This does not necessarily signal their distrust for their current specialists. Lewis Ward scored 197 points including 58 of 66 on field goals, and 22 of 24 on point after attempts. In the punt game Richie Leone punted the least he ever has in a Redblacks uniform in 2024.
With just 99 punt attempts in 18 games, managed what could be considered a career year. He logged his second most yards per punt since joining Ottawa with 48 yards per attempt. He also booted an 83 yard punt, good for second longest in his career. He also kept his perfect passer rating alive by completing the 4th passing attempt of his career for 27 yards.
Despite this, Leone is 33 years old, and Lewis Ward is 32. Neither of these players are getting younger, and Bob Dyce understands all too well the importance of special teams.
National Draft
Round 1, 3rd Pick Keelan White, WR University of Montana
Round 2, 12th Pick Samuel Carson, OL University of Louisiana Monroe
Round 4, 33rd Pick Ageli Muftah, DL Northwestern Oklahama University
Round 5, 42nd Pick Eric Cumberbatch, DB Ottawa Gee Gees
Round 6, 51st Pick Ethan Jordan, WR Laurier
Round 7, 60th Pick Jayden Griffiths, LB Laurier
Round 8, 68th Pick King Ambers, DB East Texas A&M University
Keelan White, WR
Keelan White attended the University of Montana from 2019-2024, playing in 57 games. Each season he was with the team his role grew from 1 reception for 5 yards his first season to back-to-back 54+ reception seasons in 23-24. Hailing from North Vancouver, the 6’2 190 pound wideout is more of possession style receiver.
He doesn’t have the speed to be a field stretcher, but he has enough quickness in and out of his breaks to get open in a hurry. The fact that multiple talented players were coming out of Montana likely benefitted his stock as he had representatives from 8 CFL, and 13 NFL teams in attendance at his pro-day.
He however did not hear his name called during the NFL draft. He signed with the Redblacks immediately, and reported to rookie camp. He should be an interesting competitor for snaps early in training camp. White is one of the perfect first round picks in the CFL Draft.
Samuel Carson, OL
Playing at Louisiana Monroe, Carson was a four year starter at left tackle. As a senior was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy. Carson’s chances of seeing early snaps with the Redblacks just increased as Ottawa lost 2023 1st Overall Pick Dontae Bull to retirement due to injuries.
During the 2023 season Carson was used as the sixth lineman for ULM seeing snaps at left tackle, right tackle, left guard, and even center. This could have uniquely prepared him for the role he could see with Ottawa as their swing tackle early on in his career. Carson is another selection that was signed right away and able to attend rookie camp. Carson is one of those developmental prospects the Redblacks selected in this year’s CFL Draft, but could be a year long prospect.
Muftah Ageli, DL
Mutfah Ageli has quite the highlight tape for a 6’2 300-pound defensive tackle. At one point he drops back into zone coverage, intercepts a pass and runs it into the endzone, and it ironically was not his only pick 6. He has actually found the end zone 4 times; 3 on defense, and 1 on a goal line reception.
Despite the above resume, Ageli is not the most athletic lineman, but he has elite strength, which flashes on tape as he ragdolls offensive linemen throughout. He was surprisingly not picked up by an NFL team yet, but something tells me a year or two in the CFL in a professional program he could garner interest early in his career. Ageli signed his contract and reported for rookie camp right after the CFL Draft.
Eric Cumberbatch, DB
Cumberbatch is the first player on this list to earn an NFL Rookie Mini-Camp invite. Coming straight from the Ottawa Gee Gees, he will be attending New Orleans Saints mini-camp. It should come as no surprise to anyone involved.
Cumberbatch brings prototypical height and weight, while being one of the top athletes in the CFL Combine. At 6’2 3/8 and 202 pounds, Cumberbatch put up a 4.51 40-yard dash, 39-inch vertical leap, 14 bench press reps, and topped the combine at 11 feet, 2 3/8 inch broad jump. He has legitimate NFL measurables as well as the experience to play all over the backend of the defense.
Cumberbatch was a great pick, and that is displayed by his ability to garner NFL attention coming out of the U Sports scene. He attended New Orleans Saints Rookie Mini-Camp before joining the Redblacks. He should likely get more NFL interest down the line. Being selected in the CFL Draft, may just allow him to prove he belongs in the pros.
Ethan Jordan, WR
Ethan Jordan went from not catching a single pass and only seeing action in 6 games during 2021, his first season, to 63 receptions, 730 yards and 6 touchdowns in 10 games during the 2022 season, his second year with Wilfred Laurier. It only got better for the young wideout from there.
He logged his first of two 1,000+ yard seasons in his third season while catching 81 passes and finding the endzone 9 times. He also threw 1 incomplete pass, and returned 15 punts for 160 yards. He was also credited with an interception.
In his final year with the school he put up a monster season. He caught 99 passes for 1,479 yards, and 12 touchdowns. He added 4 carries for 26 yards, the first carries of his career, and returned 5 kicks, and 1 punt for 97 yards. He may be a smaller wideout, but what he lacks in size he more than makes up for in spacial awareness, ability to find holes in zone coverage and quickness.
His route running is polished when utilized, but many of his highlight worthy plays, are simply allowing him to run past defenders and slinging it deep. He essentially operated as the field stretcher for his University. His production, athleticism, and versatility could make eventually make him a very valuable chess piece for Ottawa. Jordan signed his contract and reported to camp after the CFL Draft.
Jayden Griffiths, LB
Jayden Griffiths is another Wilfred Laurier alum drafted to cone in and compete at linebacker. Griffiths is a slightly undersize linebacker at 5’1 223 pounds.
Griffiths signed his contract and reported to camp. Entering college as a hybrid linebacker/defensive back at 215 pounds, he is no stranger to dropping back in coverage. A major contributor on defense the last two seasons of his U-Sports career, he managed 62 tackles, 4 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, six past deflections and one fumble recovery.
If he finds any role immediately, it will likely be on special teams. Griffith is likely a developmental prospect at the position. Given that he only recently settled at linebacker, this is to be expected somewhat. He could be a great practice squad player in year one. Griffiths reported to camp right after the CFL Draft.
King Ambers, DB
If there is one theme that rings true for the defensive backs that Ottawa has selected, they love length. Cumberbatch is 6’2, and Ambers stands 6’1 and change. Ambers finished college at East Texas A&M after beginning his career at New Mexico Military Institute. The native of Pickering, Ontario looks to make the roster with Ottawa making an impact on special teams as he works his way into a defensive role.
During college Ambers played in 47 games collecting 68 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, 5 interceptions, 10 pass break ups and 1 forced fumble. He was not a full time contributor until his final season, it took time to grow into this role. Per the East Texas A&M website he is one of the three former Bears currently in the CFL. Running a 4.51 40-yard dash, 39 inch vertical, and a 10 foot 7 inch broad jump. His size, speed and overall athleticism lend itself to being able to play cornerback or halfback. This versatility will be huge. Ambers reported to rookie camp immediately after the CFL Draft this year.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/6509725/King-Ambers
Overall Draft Grade
Looking over the whole CFL Draft class, I have to give the Redblacks an A-. There could be an argument made that the Redblacks could have selected a more CFL ready offensive lineman in round 2. Carson is underweight to contribute immediately, but could turn into one of the best linemen in this class long term.
Selecting Keelan White to round out this receiving corps could be a huge addition for the team. White brings size, route running, and sure hands to the team. While he may not be in the starting lineup immediately, he should be expected to have a large role as the season goes on much like how Mardner worked his way in more and more as the 2024 season progressed.
Ageli Mutfah and Eric Cumberbatch could end up being hugely impactful selections over the next couple seasons as well. This class was carefully crafted with players that they knew would likely be in camp early. This is part of the strategy that goes into the CFL Draft each season for teams. Ottawa was happy with their progress in 2024, but it is looking like they are #AllIn on being a championship contender in 2025.
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