The Ottawa Redblacks signed wide receiver Luther Hakunavanhu, offensive lineman Dayton Black, and long snapper Simon Chaves on Monday.
Luther Hakunavanhu is six foot four and weighs 209 pounds. The 28-year-old from Gweru, Zimbabwe, made one catch for two yards in two preseason games. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats released him on May 31, 2025.
The Calgary Stampeders drafted Hakunavanhu in the fifth round (44th pick) of the 2021 CFL Draft. In 2023, he made 23 catches for 311 yards, three touchdowns, and one carry for -5 yards in 16 games. In three seasons, Hakunavanhu has made 57 catches for 842 yards, eight touchdowns, and one carry for -5 yards in 35 games.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Hakunavanhu on February 13, 2024. In 2024, he made nine catches for 171 yards and four touchdowns. He missed most of the season due to a head injury.
Collegiately, Hakunavanhu played three seasons at York University (2017-19) making 68 catches for 938 yards, five touchdowns, and 17 tackles (14 solos, 3 assists) in 21 games for the Lions.
Dayton Black is six foot six and weighs 295 pounds. The 25-year-old from Brandon, Manitoba, re-signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on November 21, 2024. In 2025, he attended training camp and was released on May 14, 2025.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats drafted Black in the first round (6th pick) of the 2023 CFL Draft. In 2023, he dressed in 17 games, of which one was a start.
In 2023, Hamilton’s offense finished seventh in points per game (22.7), fifth in offensive points per game (20.9), fifth in offensive touchdowns (35), fourth in net offense per game (352.0), seventh in rushing yards per game (96.7), and four in sacks allowed (46).
In 2024, Black started on the six-game injured list before moving to the practice squad. The Ticats released him on October 2, 2024. He re-signed with the Ticats on October 5, 2024, and spent nine days on the practice squad. He did not play the 2024 season and the Ticats released him again on October 15, 2024.
Collegiately, Black played three seasons at the University of Saskatchewan (2018-22) playing 30 games for the Huskies. He was named a Canada West All-Star (2022). He began his career as a defensive lineman before switching to the offensive line in 2021.
Simon Chaves is five foot eleven and weighs 200 pounds. The 26-year-old from Guelph, Ontario, re-signed with the Toronto Argonauts on November 26, 2024. In 2025, he played two preseason games. The Argonauts released him on May 31, 2025.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Chaves as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He returned to the University of Guelph for his final two seasons in 2022 and 2023.
Then, Chaves signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on December 6, 2023. Chaves appeared in two preseason games for the Redblacks in 2024 making one tackle on special teams. The Redblacks released him on June 1, 2024.
The Edmonton Elks signed Chaves on July 15, 2024, and he spent a week on the practice squad before the Elks released him on July 21, 2024. The Toronto Argonauts signed Chaves on October 7, 2024. In 2024, he dressed for one regular season game. The Argonauts released him on November 18, 2024.
Collegiately, Chaves played seven seasons at the University of Guelph (2017-23) making 15 tackles (10 solos, 5 assists) in 27 games for the Gryphons.
