American defensive back Demerio Houston has agreed to terms with the Ottawa Redblacks, sources have confirmed to 3DownNation. The news was first reported by the Canadian Press.
Houston reportedly agreed to terms with the B.C. Lions earlier in the day, but the team had a change of heart. Contracts agreed to during the free agency communication window are not legally binding until they are filed with the league, and teams or players can alter their decision for any reason.
Houston was 3DownNation’s 49th-ranked pending free agent. He played five games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2025, recording 17 defensive tackles after joining the team midseason.
The 29-year-old spent the 2024 campaign with the Calgary Stampeders, recording 74 defensive tackles, five interceptions, one sack, and one forced fumble in 15 games. He was released by the Stampeders in February 2025 after 3DownNation reported that he had been charged with misdemeanour domestic violence in North Carolina following an argument with his wife in November.
Houston publicly denied the allegations, and the charges were later dismissed in court with the intention of being expunged from his record, which allowed him to join the Bombers.
The native of Shelby, N.C. spent the first three seasons of his career with Winnipeg, earning All-CFL status in 2023 after leading the league in interceptions. In 45 career CFL games, Houston has made 175 defensive tackles, 14 interceptions, three special teams tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one defensive touchdown.
Pending CFL free agents can negotiate with teams across the league during the communication window, which closes on Sunday, February 8. Players can agree to terms on a contract with a particular franchise; however, the deals are not legally binding and can’t be made official until after free agency opens on Tuesday, February 10.
