OTTAWA, Ontario – The CFL's Ottawa Redblacks have signed Colorado School of Mines defensive end Emmanuel Graves to a contract.

The 6-1, 235-pound Graves will graduate from Mines on Friday with a degree in mechanical engineering, then head north to join the Redblacks after a decorated career for the Orediggers.

An explosive edge rusher who could also play outside linebacker at the pro level, Graves earned First-Team All-RMAC and First-Team All-NFFCC honors in 2015 after a 60-tackle, 6.5-sack season. He racked up 11.5 tackles for a loss with two forced fumbles to be a Gene Upshaw Lineman of the Year and Cliff Harris Award candidate while earning a spot in the D2 vs. NAIA All-Star Game in South Carolina. Graves made five or more tackles nine times in 2015, had sacks in six different games, and recorded at least one tackle for loss in all 11 games.

In his career, Graves compiled 170 tackles, 16 sacks, 34.5 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He was a two-time all-RMAC and two-time D2CCA All-Region selection.