The Ottawa Redblacks signed wide receiver Raidan Thorne, offensive linemen Malik Pete and Aaron Frost, and long snapper Desmond Pelto on Monday.
Raidan Thorne is six foot three and weighs 175 pounds. The 26-year-old from Kitchener, Ontario, went undrafted in the 2025 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Thorne played three seasons at Wilfrid Laurier University (2022-24) making 159 catches for 1,949 yards, nine touchdowns, one carry for one yard, two kick returns for eight yards, nine punt returns for 75 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 32 games for the Golden Hawks.
In 2024, he made 50 catches for 566 yards, three touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 11 games. He was named OUA First Team All-Star and U Sports Second Team All-Star in 2024 helping the Golden Hawks appear in the Vanier Cup.
Malik Pete is six foot six and weighs 320 pounds. The 24-year-old from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Collegiately, Pete played three seasons at Southwestern Oklahoma State (2019-21) playing eight games for the Bulldogs. Then, he transferred to Tarleton State (2022-24) playing left tackle in 26 games for the Texans. In 2024, Tarleton State averaged 30. 71 points per game, 191.1 rushing yards per game, 224.71 passing yards per game, 415.8 total yards per game, 56 touchdowns, and allowed 16 sacks finishing 10-4 for the season.
Aaron Frost is six foot five and weighs 310 pounds. The 25-year-old from Long Beach, California, attended the Miami Dolphins rookie minicamp in 2024.
Collegiately, Frost played four seasons at Nevada (2018-21) playing 42 games for the Wolf Pack. He missed the 2022 season due to an injury. In 2021, Nevada averaged 35.69 points per game, 77.4 rushing yards per game, 347 passing yards per game, 424.4 total yards per game, 57 touchdowns, and allowed 43 sacks finishing 8-5 for the season. He was named a two-time Second Team All-Mountain West (2020-21).
Then, he transferred to Arizona State in 2023 playing eight games for the Sun Devils. In 2023, Arizona State averaged 17.75 points per game, 111.2 rushing yards per game, 210.33 passing yards per game, 321.5 total yards per game, 25 touchdowns, and allowed 30 sacks finishing 3-9 for the season.
Desmond Pelto is six foot four and weighs 220 pounds. The 23-year-old from Winnipeg, Manitoba, played four seasons at the University of Ottawa (2021-24) making 17 tackles (9 solos, 8 assists) in 29 games for the Gee-Gees.
The Redblacks also announced they added linebacker Ayinde Eley to the active roster, placed wide receiver Nick Mardner and Nigel Romick on the six-game injured list, and released offensive linemen Kobe Rios, Malcolm Lamar Sr., and Tristan Fortin.
