RedBlacks Announce 2023 Team Award Winners
October 25, 2023 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Ottawa RedBlacks News Release
OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS have revealed their list of six 2023 team award winners, who will advance to the next stage of voting, where divisional finalists for the 2023 CFL Awards will be determined.
The winners were determined by local voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC), alongside Head Coach Bob Dyce.
The full list is as follows:
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER: Running back Devonte Williams
MOST OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Defensive lineman Bryce Carter*
MOST OUTSTANDING CANADIAN: Defensive lineman Cleyon Laing*
MOST OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: Guard Jacob Ruby
MOST OUTSTANDING SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER: Kick returner/defensive back Brandin Dandridge
MOST OUTSTANDING ROOKIE: Quarterback Dustin Crum*
* - denotes unanimous selection
Williams, 26, overcame an early-season injury to put forth a breakout campaign in 2023. The Columbia, Maryland native has suited up in 14 games, rushing for 952 yards, and three touchdowns, on 169 carries, as he looks to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in Ottawa's regular season finale, Saturday. Williams has also racked up 301 receiving yards on 34 catches.
Carter, 25, has exploded with 12 sacks in his sophomore season, after posting two a year ago. The mark has the Steelton, Pennsylvania product sitting second in the CFL, to go with his 31 defensive tackles, and two forced fumbles. Carter set a new single-game career high in the REDBLACKS' Week 16 win over Saskatchewan, getting to the quarterback three times.
Laing, 32, has been a pillar of Ottawa's staunch defensive front, recording six sacks, and sitting one shy of matching his career high of seven. A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Laing's 18 tackles on the season have also seen him reach 150 on his six-season CFL career.
Ruby, 30, has had another outstanding season in the trenches, after signing a contract extension with the REDBLACKS ahead of the 2023 season. The 6'7 325 lbs London, Ontario product has appeared in every game during his two seasons in the nation's capital, serving as an anchor on the right side of Ottawa's offensive line.
Dandridge, 27, has enjoyed an outstanding defensive season, with five interceptions, but has made equally significant contributions in the return game. When DeVonte Dedmon went down with an early-season injury, Dandridge immediately stepped in, and the Lee's Summit, Missouri native returned a punt 79 yards to the endzone in Week 2 vs Calgary. Dandridge has racked up a total of 867 return yards, in just 13 games.
Crum, 24, was thrust into starting duty in Week 5, amidst an injury-plagued REDBLACKS quarterback room. The product of Grafton, Ohio has thrown for 2,836 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games, but has also found a way to make an impact with his legs. His nine rushing touchdowns are tied for the CFL lead, and his 668 rushing yards are currently tops among quarterbacks.
The division finalists for the 2023 CFL Awards will be announced on Wednesday, November 1. The full list of CFL team award winners can be found here.
The CFL Awards will be live from the Avalon Theatre at Fallsview Casino & Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Thursday, November 16 beginning at 6:30pm ET.
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