The Ottawa Redblacks have agreed to terms with American linebacker Brian Cole II, sources have confirmed to 3DownNation. Barring anything unforeseen, he’s expected to sign with the team. TSN’s Coty Wiles was the first to report.
Cole was 3DownNation’s 46th-ranked pending free agent. The native of Saginaw, Mich., played all 18 games for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2025, logging three defensive tackles, 19 special teams tackles, and a forced fumble.
The 28-year-old played 37 games in three seasons with Winnipeg from 2022 through 2024, recording 51 total tackles, 27 defensive tackles, four forced fumbles and one interception.
The six-foot-one, 215-pound Cole previously spent time in the CFL with the Edmonton Elks (2022) and Saskatchewan Roughriders (2022) in addition to NFL stints with the Carolina Panthers (2021), Miami Dolphins (2020-2021) and Minnesota Vikings (2020).
He was originally selected by the Vikings in the seventh round, 249th overall, during the 2020 NFL Draft after spending his collegiate career with Mississippi State (2017-2019), Michigan (2015) and East Mississippi Community College (2016).
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.
