The Ottawa Redblacks signed offensive lineman Malcolm Lamar Sr., and linebacker Brendan Jackson, while releasing defensive lineman Sam Latham and defensive back Nafees Lyon on Friday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Malcolm Lamar Sr. is six foot five and weighs 313 pounds. A native of Seffner, Florida, transferred to Florida Atlantic University (2021-24) playing left tackle in 27 games for the Owls. In 2024, Florida Atlantic averaged 25.92 points per game, 189 rushing yards per game, 208.58 passing yards per game, 397.6 total yards per game, 40 touchdowns, and allowed 32 sacks finishing 3-9 for the season.
Collegiately, Lamar Sr. played one season at Florida State in 2019 playing four games. In 2019, Florida State averaged 27.9 points per game, 140.7 rushing yards per game, 267.6 passing yards per game, 408.3 total yards per game, 48 touchdowns, and allowed 48 sacks finishing 6-7 for the season.
Brendan Jackson is six foot two and weighs 230 pounds. A native of Statesboro, Georgia, Jackson transferred to Troy in 2024 making 77 tackles (36 solos, 41 assists), 16 tackles for loss, two sacks, and three pass breakups in 12 games for the Trojans. He was named Third Team All-Sun Belt Conference.
Collegiately, Jackson played one season at Savannah State University in 2021 making 37 tackles (26 solos, 11 assists), four tackles for loss, one sack, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 10 games for the Tigers.
Then, he transferred to Gardner-Webb University (2022-23) making 78 tackles (43 solos, 35 assists), 15 tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception for 12 yards, six pass breakups, four carries for six yards, and two touchdowns in 18 games for the Runnin’ Bulldogs. He was named First Team All-Big South Conference.
Sam Latham is six foot seven and weighs 275 pounds. The 24-year-old from Austin, Texas, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Ottawa Redblacks signed Latham on January 21, 2025.
Collegiately, Latham played four seasons at Incarnate Word (2019-22) making 88 tackles (41 solos, 47 assists), 14.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 40 games for the Cardinals.
Then, he transferred to Texas State in 2023 making 15 tackles (7 solos, 8 assists), six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in six games for the Bobcats.
Nafees Lyon is five foot ten and weighs 184 pounds. The 28-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on February 11, 2025.
The Edmonton Elks signed Lyons as a free agent on January 11, 2021. He played two seasons in Edmonton making 80 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and four interceptions in 19 games.
The Montreal Alouettes acquired Lyons, along with defensive lineman Thomas Costigan in a trade from the Edmonton Elks for defensive lineman Avery Ellis and a 2023 third-round pick on August 31, 2022. Lyons had 25 tackles, one forced fumble, one sack, and one interception in eight games for Edmonton before being traded to Montreal.
In 2022, Lyon had 28 tackles, one interception, and one touchdown in six games. A year later, he made three tackles in one game for the Montreal Alouettes in 2023 against the Ottawa Redblacks before suffering a season-ending knee injury when Montreal went on to win the 110th Grey Cup over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In 2024, Lyon made 31 tackles, one tackle on special teams, and one interception in 10 games.
Collegiately, Lyons played five seasons at Charlotte (2016-20) making 137 tackles (96 solos, 41 assists), five tackles for loss, two interceptions, 13 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and 13 punt returns for 95 yards in 40 games for the 49ers.
