The Ottawa Redblacks released defensive lineman Deionte Knight and defensive back Gavin Heslop on Friday.
Deionte Knight is six foot three and weighs 290 pounds. The 26-year-old from Ajax, Ontario, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on December 17, 2024. He attended training camp and was released on May 21, 2025. The Redblacks re-signed him on September 2, 2025. In 2025, he made one tackle in three games. He finished the season on the practice squad. The Redblacks released him on October 25, 2025. Ottawa re-signed Knight on November 19, 2025.
The Toronto Argonauts drafted Knight in the second round (10th pick) of the 2022 CFL Draft. He played four games in his rookie season with two tackles as the Argonauts won the 109th Grey Cup over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
In 2023, Knight made 17 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble in 17 games. In the 2024 preseason, Knight made one tackle against the Montreal Alouettes. In 2024, Knight played two games, recording no stats. The Argonauts released him on July 3, 2024.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Knight on July 3, 2024. He made four tackles in 12 games for the Ticats. The Ticats released him on October 26, 2024. The Ottawa Redblacks signed Knight on December 6, 2024.
Collegiately, Knight played four seasons at Western University (2018-21) with 96 tackles (34 solos, 62 assists), 17 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and one touchdown in 28 games for the Mustangs.
In 2021, Knight made 52 tackles (17 solos, 35 assists), 13 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, one pass breakup, two fumble recoveries, and one touchdown in 11 games, helping the Mustangs win the Vanier Cup. He won the J. P. Metras Trophy after the season.
Gavin Heslop is six foot and weighs 195 pounds. The 28-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.
Ottawa re-signed Heslop to the practice squad on June 17, 2025. He made four tackles and one tackle on special teams in three games.
Heslop signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2020. In 2021, he played three games with 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) with 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.
