The Ottawa Redblacks signed wide receiver Sam Schnee, defensive lineman Anthony Bennett, and defensive back Gavin Heslop to the practice squad while releasing wide receivers Ayir Asante and Ethan Jordan on Tuesday.
Sam Schnee is five foot ten and weighs 191 pounds. The 25-year-old from Dubuque, Iowa, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on March 6, 2025. In 2025, he made four catches for 54 yards, and one touchdown in one preseason game. The Redblacks released him on May 31, 2025.
The Tennessee Titans signed Schnee as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. In 2024, Schnee made two catches for 24 yards and one tackle (1 solo) in three preseason games. The Titans released him on August 26, 2024.
Collegiately, Schnee played five seasons at the University of Northern Iowa (2019-23) making 139 catches for 2,231 yards, 14 touchdowns, 37 carries for 137 yards, two touchdowns, completing one pass for 30 yards, four kick returns for 79 yards, three punt returns for nine yards, and six tackles (4 solos, 2 assists) in 46 games for the Panthers.
In 2023, he made 57 catches for 1,039 yards, six touchdowns, four kick returns for 79 yards, three punt returns for 39 yards, and two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) in 11 games. He was named First Team All-MVFC, AFCA FCS Second Team All-American, Third Team All-American by Phil Steele in 2023, and All-MVFC Honorable Mention in 2022.
Anthony Bennett is six foot three and weighs 230 pounds. The 28-year-old from Weston, Florida, signed with the Montreal Alouettes on February 18, 2025. He attended training camp and was released on May 10, 2025.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers drafted Bennett in the first round (8th pick) of the 2023 CFL Draft. He signed with the Blue Bombers on May 5, 2023. In 2023, he made eight tackles and three tackles on special teams in 18 games. The Blue Bombers released him on May 12, 2024.
Bennett played two seasons at the University of Regina (2021-22) making 63 tackles (39 solos, 24 assists), 20 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, one interception for 28 yards, one touchdown, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 14 games.
In 2022, Bennett made 38 tackles (22 solos, 16 assists), 12.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, one interception for 28 yards, one touchdown, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery in nine games. He was named U SPORTS First-Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star in 2022.
Gavin Heslop is six foot and weighs 195 pounds. The 27-year-old from Yonkers, New York, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on December 12, 2024. In 2025, he made five tackles in two preseason games. The Redblacks released him on May 31, 2025.
Heslop signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2020. In 2021, he played three games making one tackle (1 solo) for the Seahawks. Heslop also spent time with the New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, and Cleveland Browns.
The San Antonio Brahmas signed Heslop on January 19, 2024. In 2024, he made three tackles (2 solos, 1 assist) in three games. The Brahmas released him on May 14, 2024. The Ottawa Redblacks signed Heslop on November 18, 2024.
Collegiately, Heslop played four seasons at Stony Brook (2016-19) making 196 tackles (138 solos, 58 assists), 21 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 30 pass breakups, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, three blocked kicks, and one punt return for 21 yards in 45 games for the Seawolves. He was named Second Team All-CAA in 2018 and Third Team All-CAA in 2019.
Ayir Asante is six foot and weighs 178 pounds. The 24-year-old from Franklin Township, New Jersey, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on January 21, 2025. In 2025, he made three catches for 27 yards, two kick returns for 43 yards, and four punt returns for 22 yards in one preseason game to earn a spot on the practice squad.
The New York Giants signed Asante as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. In 2024, Asante made one catch for no yards, two kick returns for 71 yards, and two punt returns for 13 yards in three preseason games. The Giants released him on August 25, 2024.
Collegiately, Asante played four seasons at Holy Cross (2019-22) making 117 catches for 1,718 yards, 16 touchdowns, four carries for 66 yards, one touchdown, 26 kick returns for 485 yards, three punt returns for two yards, and six tackles (5 solos, 1 assist) in 40 games for the Crusaders. He was named a three-time Second Team All-Patriot League (2019-21).
Then, he transferred to Wyoming in 2023 making 18 catches for 276 yards, four touchdowns, four carries for 11 yards, one touchdown, and eight kick returns for 166 yards in 11 games for the Cowboys.
Ethan Jordan is five foot ten and weighs 177 pounds. The 22-year-old from Chatham, Ontario, was drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks in the sixth round (51st pick) of the 2025 CFL Draft. In 2025, Jordan made one catch for six yards in one preseason game to earn a spot on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Jordan played four seasons at Wilfrid Laurier University (2021-24) making 243 catches for 3,274 yards, 27 touchdowns, four carries for 26 yards, eight kick returns for 139 yards, 32 punt returns for 278 yards, two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist), and one interception, 40 games for the Golden Hawks.
He was named a two-time First Team U-Sports All-Canadian, three-time First Team OUA All-Star, and helped the Golden Hawks win the 2024 Yates Cup and Uteck Bowl.
