Canadian Receiver Rashaun Simonise Signs with Sharks

CFL / NFL Talent Comes to Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE – The 2019 National Arena League Champion Jacksonville Sharks have announced today the signing of Wide Receiver Rashaun Simonise who enters his six year of professional football, third year of arena football, and first season with the Jacksonville Sharks. 

Rashaun Simonise (6’5, 211) Last played in The Spring League (TSL) a developmental league that feeds talent to the NFL & CFL levels. Simonise was drafted by the Jousters who played all of their games in the Alamodome for the 2020 season in San Antonio, Texas. In 2019, Simonise played for the BC Lions of the Candian Football League (CFL) where he had five receptions for 53 yards averaging 10 yards per catch. He also returned a kick for 18 yards that season. Prior to that, the 6’5 receiver played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers where he was the 12th overall pick in the 2018 CFL draft. During his solo year in Winnipeg he caught four passes for 122 yards and averaged 30 yards per catch. Simonise also spent 2018 in the Arena Football League (AFL) where he played for the Baltimore Brigade who finished 7-5 and competed in ArenaBowl XXXI but fell to the Washington Valor 69-55. 

Simonise spent the 2016-2017 with the Okanagan Sun of the Candian Junior Football League (CJFL) during his career with the Sun he played in seven games recording 23 catches for 392 yards and gained three touchdowns. Prior to the CJFL, the Candian receiver played for the Cincinnati Bengals where he competed in NFL training camp and 2016 NFL preseason. During his time in Cincinnati he caught two passes for 64 yards for the Bengals. Simonise got his first taste of professional football in 2016 with the Champions Indoor Football League (CIF) where he started five games catching 11 passes for 105 yards and scoring two touchdowns for the Eagles. Simonise had a workout with the 2016 Jacksonville Sharks before he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals. 

“It is not very often that you get a chance to coach a player with the size and athletic ability that Rashaun processes. He is a big body WR that can run, and has some wiggle as well. It's also a plus that he is used to the Hi motion coming from the CFL League. I am Looking forward to seeing him in Sharks colors.” Said Sharks head coach James Fuller.

Rashaun Simonise spent his college career at the University of Calgary where he became a star receiver whose college career included 118 receptions, 1,885 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns. During his junior year he was the rated the number one ranked receiver in Canada and earned First Team All-Canadian honors. Instead of pursuing a senior season he decided to enter the 2015 NFL draft where he was scouted by over six NFL teams on his NFL pro day. 

Simonise is originally from Vancouver, British Columbia where he was a multi-sport sports star at Vancouver College winning a British Columbia High School Championship in football while also competing in track & field as well as basketball. 

About the Jacksonville Sharks

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the National Arena League (NAL). The 2019 & 2017 NAL Champions and ArenaBowl XXIV Champions play all of their home games at the Veterans Memorial Arena. Shark Nation Memberships for the 2021 season are now available. To become a Shark Nation member or for more information please call (904) 621-0700 or email info@jaxsharks.com   Follow the Sharks on Facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter and Instagram @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance and Chum at facebook.com/chumshark