Photo courtesy: Mark Blinch/CFL.ca.
For part one of Santino Filoso’s Ottawa Redblacks 2026 training camp primer, click here.
Defensive line
Presumed starters: Habakkuk Baldonado, Bryce Carter, Luiji Vilain, Cleyon Laing, Michael Wakefield
In the mix: Dylan Wynn, Marcel Walker-Burgess, Blessman Ta’ala, Jelani Stafford, Jordan Smith, Trev’Vonn Rybka, Ramon Puryear Jr., Daniel Okpoko, Yoann Miangué, Aidan John, TJ Jackson Jr., Jessie Evans, Muftah Ageli, Charlie Parks
A deep group got deeper this offseason thanks to the additions of Italian Baldonado and Canadian Vilain.
The 26-year-old Global is a pass rusher with a high motor and his best football still in front of him. The six-foot-four, 251-pounder notched 18 tackles, four sacks, and forced a fumble in 2025 and started for Saskatchewan in the Grey Cup.
Vilain, a product of Ottawa’s Gridiron Academy, spent the past four seasons in the NFL, splitting time between the Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, and Dallas Cowboys. The six-foot-four, 250-pound Ottawa native will be used as a defensive end in the nation’s capital, but could kick inside in situations where the team chooses to use pressure packages that feature three ends on passing downs.
Carter and Wakefield are heading into their fifth and ninth seasons, respectively, and it would be a surprise to see either one lose their starting roles. With that said, Ottawa has always been a team that keeps their defensive line fresh with plenty of players rotating. American newcomers Smith, Walker-Burgess, Jackson Jr., and Evans will be competing at edge.
Don’t overlook Canadians Aidan John and Charlie Parks, either. Although both will feature on special teams, John has shown an ability to chase down the quarterback when given the opportunity throughout his three seasons in Ottawa. Parks was selected No. 31 overall in the 2026 CFL Draft thanks to a strong university career at Saskatchewan that culminated with him being named the Canada West Most Outstanding Lineman and a finalist for the J.P. Metras Trophy, as well as a first-team All-Canadian.
At defensive tackle, veteran Wynn will look to be his usual nasty self. In 107 career regular-season games, the 32-year-old has 211 tackles and 30 sacks. Other Americans looking to make an impression will be Stafford, Rybka, and Puryear Jr. In terms of Canadians behind Laing, there’s Okpoko and Ageli. The former is heading into his third season with the Redblacks, and the later is a sophomore. Rounding out the group are a pair of Global defensive tackles in Ta’ala and Miangué.
Linebackers
Presumed starters: A.J. Allen, Nyles Morgan, C.J. Reavis
In the mix: Lucas Cormier, James Peter, Jamie Pettway, Jayden Griffiths, Brian Cole II, Michael Brodrique, Benjamin Dobson, Josh Connors, KJ Cloyd, Bo Spearman, KK Reno
In the linebacking group, the starters appear set. Given that Allen was arguably the team’s biggest free agent acquisition, go ahead and lock him in as the team’s starting weak-side linebacker as a Canadian ratio-changer. Cormier will push for playing time, but figures to spell Allen and come in on certain packages. Behind them is plenty of Canadian depth in Brodrique, Griffiths, Dobson and Connors, who will be learning to earn roster spots by starring on special teams.
At middle linebacker, Morgan, who was acquired in a December trade from the Elks, should be a lock to start. In 62 career regular-season games, the 29-year-old has registered 386 tackles, seven sacks, one interception, and four forced fumbles. Pettway, Peter, and company will look to provide depth.
Pencil in Reavis as the team’s strong-side linebacker. The 30-year-old thrives playing man-to-man, something the Redblacks will do plenty in 2026. In 55 career regular-season games, the six-foot, 198-pounder has notched 220 tackles, nine sacks, six forced fumbles and two interceptions. If Bennett Williams doesn’t earn a starting job in the secondary, look for him to back-up Reavis.
Cole II won’t start on defence but will make an impact as a special teams ace and tone-setter.
The Redblacks will carry around 15 linebackers into training camp, if past roster construction is any indication, and at least nine should survive final cuts. Those who do will need to demonstrate they are not only willing to ply their trade on special teams, but thrive and enjoy it.
Defensive backs
Presumed starters: Adrian Frye, Amari Henderson, Demerio Houston
In the mix: Bennett Williams, Shakur Brown, Gavin Holmes, Cameron Lockridge, Jeremy Lucien, Quenton Meeks, Jordan Wright, Kobe Savage, Russell Dandy, Chris Mills, Marcus Barnes, Cam Wilson, Shadwel Nkuba II, Jordan Perryman, Roterius Torrence
If there’s one thing the Redblacks will prioritize when building their secondary, it’s guys who can play multiple positions. Returning veterans Frye and Henderson fit the bill and will likely retain starting roles. Houston was a key free-agent addition and has started 45 of his 50 career CFL games, making 175 tackles and 14 interceptions.
Williams is another returning veteran the team is high on. The third-year pro has already made starts at SAM and is also capable of playing anywhere in the secondary. Canadian King Ambers appeared in nine games during his rookie season and is another name worth watching, as he can line up at safety or elsewhere in the secondary.
As for the rest of the group, Lockridge and Brown spent time on the Redblacks practice roster in 2025 and will be looking to prove they’re ready to handle bigger roles. Meeks, Dandy, and Mills have spent time on practice rosters around the CFL, while Savage and Wright have NFL experience.
Barnes played 47 games at William & Mary, notching 214 tackles, nine interceptions and knocking down 24 passes. Nkuba II, a Texas native, had an outstanding season with Illinois State in 2025. His 79 tackles, five interceptions, and 13 pass knock downs earned him a spot on the Missouri Valley Football all-conference team.
Safety
Presumed starter: Alonzo Addae
In the mix: King Ambers, Eric Cumberbatch, Patrick Cumberbatch, Scott Hutter
In terms of talent and natural instincts, Addae is Ottawa’s best safety. That’s why the job will be his if he can stay healthy. The No. 13 overall pick in the 2021 draft missed all but one game in 2025 and missed another four in 2024 thanks to a variety of injuries.
The Cumberbatch brothers and Hutter will need to impress with their special teams play in order to ensure roster spots.
Kicker
Presumed starter: Brett Lauther
In the mix: Jayden Fielding
To say Ward’s release in mid-April caught R-Nation by surprise would be putting it lightly. For the first time since 2018, someone other than the pro football record holder of most consecutive successful field goals (69) will be splitting the uprights for the Redblacks. Fans in the nation’s capital barely had time to register Ward’s departure before Lauther was signed.
If you were to compare Ward and Lauther’s field goal percentages in 2025, you’d correctly note that while Ward connected on a career-low 76.1 percent of his attempts, Lauther’s 72.2 percent was worse. Ward was also better on point-afters, connecting on 94.2 percent of his attempts to Lauther’s 91.2.
But this was a move made with a focus on the bigger picture. The team is banking on the 35-year-old Lauther having a bounce back season, but beyond that, it’s his leg strength and how he creates roster flexibility that’s appealing.
In 2025, Lauther averaged 65 yards per kickoff to Ward’s 55. That 10-yard difference isn’t insignificant.
Think of it this way: it’s one less first down a team needs to be in scoring range. Last season, the Redblacks lost five games by a single score, so those hidden yards clearly added up. Looking past the upcoming season, with the uprights set to be moved to the back of the end zone, field goal attempts will require stronger legs.
There’s no guarantee Lauther is on the Redblacks in 2027 but if he is, he’s got the necessary juice in his leg to still be effective.
As for how Lauther creates options when it comes to roster management, by dressing a Canadian kicker who handles both field goals and kickoffs, it opens the door for the team to satisfy the Global component of the ratio by dressing a Global punter. And it just so happens Ottawa currently has the rights to a few of those.
Punter
Presumed starter: none
In the mix: James Burnip, Noah Gettman, Aidan Laros, (maybe) Paul Geelen
Between 2018 and 2025, Richie Leone averaged 46.8 yards per punt while suiting up for 124 total games for Ottawa. For most of his time with the Redblacks, he also handled kickoffs and was the team’s holder on field goal attempts. His departure creates one of the most wide open battles in camp.
In terms of Global options, Burnip averaged 43.8 yards per punt during his four years at Alabama. The Australian was taken No. 14 overall in the 2025 Global Draft. Laros, selected first overall in the 2026 Global Draft, briefly spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following two seasons at the University of Kentucky. During his time with the Wildcats, the South African averaged 44.8 yards per punt.
As for Geelen, he won’t be in camp when it starts, as he’s set to attend rookie mini-camp with the Denver Broncos. If that falls through, he might choose to head north. The Dutchman pulled double duty during his time at Southern Illinois University, averaging 42.3 yards per punt and converting 78 percent of his field goals.
Finally, there’s Gettman, who is American. The 25-year-old played one game for the Redblacks in 2025, punting six times for an average of 50.8 yards per punt.
If all punters have strong camps, the job might ultimately go to who holds the best for Lauther, and who demonstrates an ability to handle kickoffs, should the need arise.
Kick returner
Presumed starter: none
In the mix: Jacquez Stuart, Cade McDonald, Mathew Sexton, Julian Gray
Pimpleton has shown he can be a dynamic returner, but in a perfect world Ottawa would love to have him focus his efforts exclusively on being the best, most dangerous receiver possible. That’s why the Redblacks are looking for someone else to step up and claim the job as the team’s primary kicker returner.
A trio of speedy Americans have the inside track. Stuart was a two-time All-Conference kick returner when he played at University of Toledo. McDonald was second-team All-Conference as a returner for Miami University in Ohio, while Sexton returned punts at the University of Eastern Michigan and for the San Antonio Brahmas.
Long snapper
Presumed starter: Peter Adjey
In the mix: Benjamin Huot
Heading into his fifth year as a pro, his third with the Redblacks, Adjey has been nothing but nearly perfect with his snapping. Of a possible 72 games, he’s been healthy enough to play in 66, although the six he missed all came in 2025. Despite being a near lock to maintain his job as Ottawa’s long snapper, the Redblacks have preached competition everywhere, which is what the addition of Huot brings.
The six-foot-two, 200-pound defensive back out of the Université de Sherbrooke went undrafted but boasts impressive athleticism as demonstrated by his field goal block and interceptions during his time with the Vert et Or. Even if he fails to unseat Adjey, a strong showing throughout camp could help him land a gig with another team or ensure Ottawa’s front office keeps his number handy in case of injuries.
This and that
– Thanks to the way Dinwiddie and Burke have constructed the roster, the Redblacks will have plenty of ratio flexibility and can get to seven Canadian starters multiple ways. That’ll be invaluable when it comes to juggling inevitable injuries. The most likely setup is one Canadian receiver, three offensive linemen, one defensive lineman, one linebacker and one defensive back. But if need be, they could go Canadian at running back, two Canadians at receiver, four on the offensive line and two on the defensive line. That’s a testament to the depth that’s been amassed at those positions.
– While every Redblacks training camp practice will be at Lansdowne, players will be staying in residence at Carleton and the team will use some classes as meeting rooms. That should facilitate life for the Redblacks given how busy TD Place will be with both Atlético Ottawa, Rapid FC, and the PWHL’s Ottawa Charge also making use of the facility during the month of May.
– All but one of the team’s practices will be open to the public. If you’ve never been out to watch, not only is it an interesting (free) outing, it’s also a great opportunity to meet players for pictures and autographs.
– By 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 12, training camp rosters need to be cut down to 75 players, excluding those who are injured.
– The team’s annual Fan Fest will be on Saturday, May 16.
– Ottawa will only play the Alouettes in the preseason. The first match will be in Montreal on Friday, May 22, with the second being at TD Place on Friday, May 29.
– Training camp ends on Saturday, May 30, by which time the team will have made final cuts.
