The Calgary Stampeders have signed international linebackers Jared Brackens and Josh Francis as free agents. As per team policy, terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

Brackens played four seasons (2011-14) at Iowa State and had 132 tackles, including 11.5 tackles for loss, in 46 career games. As a senior, he saw action in all 12 games as a linebacker and nickel back and made six starts. He recorded 57 tackles, including seven tackles for loss, and one pass breakup. In 2013, he started 13 games at linebacker and ranked third on the Cyclones with 61 tackles while recording a pair of sacks.

Francis signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Jan. 21, 2014, but he did not see action with the team. He signed with the Indoor Football League’s Wichita Falls Nighthawks in 2015 and signed with the National Football League’s Green Bay Packers on Mar. 5, 2015. Francis attended training camp with the Packers and he was released on Aug. 31, 2015.

Francis played two seasons (2012-13) at West Virginia after transferring from Lackawanna College. As a senior in 2013, he started 12 of 13 games and led the Mountaineers with 15 tackles for loss. He had 57 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble.