The Canadian Football League has started training camp, and despite seeing four former Ohio State football players on opening day rosters in 2022, that number has decreased even further to three for the 2023 season. Two of the names on this list have been in the CFL for a decent amount of time and were a part of all the fun north of the border last year, but one is a bit surprising — and even exciting.
One interesting name that is not on this list, but has been in years past is Duron Carter, the son of former Ohio State great, Cris Carter. The younger Carter had some off-field issues at Ohio State before transferring to Alabama and Florida Atlantic, but he has been a cornerstone in the CFL for almost a decade. I expect him to join a roster possibly mid-season, so stay tuned.
Let’s dive into the current active former Buckeyes in the CFL.
Austin Mack, Montreal Alouettes
Austin Mack was signed by Montreal on April 3rd of 2023 and this will be his first season in the Canadian Football League. Although I do expect a transition period due to the size of the ball and different rules, Mack has the potential to dominate up North and is only 25 years old.
Mack saw decent time at Ohio State seeing action in 32 games and accumulating 79 career receptions for 1,050 yards and six touchdowns. He then went undrafted after the 2020 NFL Draft and had a solid season for an undrafted rookie with the New York Giants, seeing action in 11 games, and snagging seven receptions for 91 yards. Mack also spent time with the Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers.
# 81 – Austin Mack😤 pic.twitter.com/6g9HEZGNqZ
— Alouettes de Montréal (@MTLAlouettes) May 21, 2023
Najee Murray, Montreal Alouettes
Najee Murray actually saw time as a freshman at Ohio State before getting injured and after seeing his playing time decrease. Murray then decided to transfer to Kent State and played at a high level in the Mid-American Conference before going undrafted in 2017. He spent time with the Cleveland Browns and has been with the Alouettes since 2018.
Murray has had the longest career up North of all the Buckeyes and is expected to play linebacker this season. Last season, Murray was named All-CFL before the league retracted that list and released their second version.
Kent State CB Najee Murray.. hustle!! pic.twitter.com/AbS78YC2VT
— Ty Wurth (@lostyhighway) April 14, 2017
Damon Webb, Ottawa Redblacks
Damon Webb saw significant action while at Ohio State, appearing in 35 games during his collegiate career. As a senior, Webb snagged five interceptions, which placed him second in the Big Ten and helped him earn all-conference honors.
Webb went undrafted in 2018 but signed with the Tennessee Titans and lasted two seasons in the NFL before moving up North. His first stint in the CFL was with the Saskatchewan Roughriders for three seasons but he was cut and is now with the Ottawa Redblacks.
Damon Webb with the range 🔊🔊 pic.twitter.com/DXN1x0ModR
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) February 13, 2018
