Ottawa Redblacks release former first-round pick Deshawn Stevens

The Ottawa Redblacks have released Canadian defender Deshawn Stevens.

The 27-year-old was the sixth overall pick in the 2021 CFL Draft but didn’t sign with Ottawa until the following year as he played an extra collegiate season down south. He played defensive end and linebacker over three seasons with the Redblacks, recording eight defensive tackles and 10 special teams tackles over 31 regular season games.

The six-foot-two, 255-pound native of Toronto played his first four collegiate seasons at the University of Maine, recording 211 total tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, four pass knockdowns, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, and one interception. He was named second-team All-CAA as a redshirt sophomore in 2018.

Stevens transferred to West Virginia University in 2021 where he made 12 total tackles over 12 games.

The Ottawa Redblacks (4-2) will host the Calgary Stampeders (3-3) on Friday, July 26 with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. EDT.

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