Official: Ottawa Redblacks sign former Saskatchewan Roughriders strong-side linebacker C.J. Reavis

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

The Ottawa Redblacks have officially signed American strong-side linebacker C.J. Reavis. 3DownNation reported the agreement last week.

Reavis was named an All-CFL selection for the second consecutive year with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2025, producing 61 defensive tackles, two forced fumbles, two sacks, and one interception in 17 games. He moved to safety during the Riders’ Grey Cup run, adding seven tackles through two playoff games.

The 30-year-old first signed with Saskatchewan in 2022, seizing the starting job in his second season. Through 55 CFL games, he has registered 209 tackles, 11 special teams tackles, nine sacks, two interceptions, and six forced fumbles.

The Chester, Virginia native split his collegiate career between Virginia Tech and Marshall University, recording 131 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one interception in 33 combined NCAA games. In between the two schools, Reavis attended East Mississippi Community College for one season, where he was featured on the popular Netflix docuseries Last Chance U.

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.

Ottawa 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, leading receiver was Justin Hardy with 1,019 yards, and 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.