Shaq attack: Ottawa Redblacks sign Canadian receiver Shaq Johnson

Photo courtesy: B.C. Lions/Paul Yates

The Ottawa Redblacks have signed Canadian receiver Shaq Johnson to a one-year contract for the 2022 season.

The 28-year-old appeared in all 14 regular season games during the shortened schedule for the B.C. Lions in 2021, tallying 30 receptions for 295 yards.

Hailing from Brampton, ON Johnson was selected in the fourth round, 32nd overall by the Lions in the 2016 CFL Draft. The six-foot, 185-pound pass catcher broke into the league as a full-timer in 2017. He has since posted 127 catches for 1,749 receiving yards, 399 yards after the catch, and seven touchdowns.

“I am excited about taking the next step in my career and doing that in Canada’s capital, it doesn’t get any better in my eyes,” Johnson said.

“I’ve loved playing in Ottawa since entering the league; the fans are great, the city is beautiful and I’ve had some of my better games there. I’m blessed and eager and can’t wait to get to work with coach Lapolice and the rest of the staff!”

Johnson was named the USports top rookie for McGill University in 2012, after making 61 catches for 792 yards and five touchdowns. His next two seasons were spent with the Western University Mustangs and London Beefeaters, respectively where he totalled 50 catches for 931 yards and recorded 10 touchdowns.

He burned a 4.39 40-yard time at the 2016 CFL combine with an 11-foot broad jump and 34.5-inch vertical.

Johnson joins a receiving group that has been bolstered through free agency with the likes of Jaelon Acklin and Darvin Adams signing with Ottawa for the 2022 campaign, as well as the returning Nate Behar, and R.J. Harris.