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This moved very, very quickly. Early this week, we had a couple links on the site referencing EJ's attractiveness to CFL teams as one of the top free agents this offseason, and the CFL themselves listed the homerun threat who finished the year strong at #5 on their top 20 free agents.
This afternoon, the former UB receiver was linked in rumours to both Toronto and Ottawa:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>CFL Rumors have the Argos and ALLCAPS (errr REDBLACKS) looking at Ernest Jackson How cool would if be for EJ to land so close to WNY!</p>— Bull Run (@UBBullRun) <a href="https://twitter.com/UBBullRun/status/565258379774660609">February 10, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Within the last hour, CFL.ca is reporting that Jackson has signed with the REDBLACKs and will be headed to the East Division. On one hand, this means slightly fewer matchups with fellow UB alum Drew Willy, but does mean with regular games at Toronto and Hamilton that he'll be coming close to Buffalo multiple times a season.
Jackson was ninth in the CFL last season with 813 receiving yards, accumulating the bulk of his stats late in the season. His 16.6 yards per catch was the highest of any of the leagues top 15 receivers, and he also scored three touchdowns.
A native of Rochester, NY, EJ was an often-overshadowed but always critical part of a dynamic UB offense during his time as a Bull. In his career he caught 115 passes for 1403 yards and 11 touchdowns, while adding 13 kickoff returns with an average above 25 yards/return in his 2008 senior season. I can't embed the video, but click here for his weaving kick return TD at Missouri.
In Ottawa, Jackson should step right in alongside Kansas alum Marcus Henry for the #1 wide receiver spot. The REDBLACKS (I'm so sorry.) schedule is not out yet, but we'll certainly let you know when EJ (and Drew!) are nearby in Hamilton or Toronto.
Congrats EJ!