Official: Ottawa Redblacks add former All-CFL DB Demerio Houston

Photo: Reuben Polansky/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

The Ottawa Redblacks have officially signed American defensive back Demerio Houston to a one-year contract. 3DownNation reported the agreement during the negotiation window.

Houston reportedly agreed to terms with the B.C. Lions during the free agency communication window, but the team had a change of heart. Contracts agreed to during that time are not legally binding until they are filed with the league, and teams or players can alter their decision for any reason.

Houston 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 were able to communicate with teams around the league from February 1 to 8, during which time contracts could be negotiated and agreed upon but not signed. Starting Tuesday, February 10, at noon EST, players can officially change teams.

The Ottawa Redblacks finished fourth in the East Division standings in 2025 with a 4-14 record, missing the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six seasons. Dru Brown went 2-7 over nine starts at quarterback, throwing for 2,389 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Dustin Crum went 2-4 over six starts, throwing for 1,771 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions.

The Redblacks ranked sixth in net offence, fifth in net defence, and ninth with a turnover differential of minus-16. The club’s leading rusher was William Stanback with 698 yards, the leading receiver was Justin Hardy with 1,019 yards, and the leading tackler was Adarius Pickett with 84 tackles. Ottawa finished eighth in attendance with average crowds of 18,136, which was a 4.2 percent decrease from the previous year.