The Ottawa Redblacks re-signed defensive lineman Blessman Ta’ala to a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season on Friday.
Blessman Ta’ala is six foot and weighs 290 pounds. The 26-year-old from Aua, American Samoa, made 16 tackles and four sacks in 17 games in 2025.
The Ottawa Redblacks drafted Ta’ala in the first round (1st pick) of the 2023 CFL Global Draft. In 2023, he made six tackles, one tackle on special teams, two sacks, and one forced fumble in 12 games. In 2024, he made seven tackles in 18 games.
Collegiately, Ta’ala played five seasons at Hawaii (2018-22) with 142 tackles (72 solos, 70 assists), 20 tackles for loss, four sacks, three pass breakups, and two blocked kicks in 64 games for the Rainbow Warriors. In 2022, Ta’ala made 40 tackles (17 solos, 23 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks in 13 games. Ta’ala was named a three-time All-Mountain West Honorable Mention.
