The Ottawa Redblacks have signed Global punter James Burnip to his rookie contract.
Burnip was selected by the Redblacks in the second round, 14th overall, during the 2025 Global Draft, but he did not immediately come to Canada. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New Orleans Saints and spent training camp with the team before being waived.
The native of Mount Macedon, Australia, attended the University of Alabama, where he played 55 games over his four seasons with the Crimson Tide. Burnip punted 201 times for 8,808 yards, producing a 43.8-yard average and a career-long of 67 yards. Burnip finished his career second in Alabama history in yards per punt, was a semi-finalist for the Ray Guy award in 2024, and earned All-American honours in 2023.
Ottawa’s incumbent punter, Richie Leone, is slated to hit free agency on February 10.
The Ottawa Redblacks finished fourth in the East Division standings in 2025 with a 4-14 record, missing the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six seasons. Dru Brown went 2-7 over nine starts at quarterback, throwing for 2,389 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Dustin Crum went 2-4 over six starts, throwing for 1,771 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions.
The Redblacks ranked sixth in net offence, fifth in net defence, and ninth with a turnover differential of minus-16. The club’s leading rusher was William Stanback with 698 yards, the leading receiver was Justin Hardy with 1,019 yards, and the leading tackler was Adarius Pickett with 84 tackles. Ottawa finished eighth in attendance with average crowds of 18,136, which was a 4.2 percent decrease from the previous year.
