The Ottawa Redblacks signed quarterback Jake Maier to a one-year contract through the 2026 season and linebacker A.J. Allen to a two-year contract through the 2027 season on Wednesday.
Jake Maier is six foot and weighs 200 pounds. The 28-year-old from Fullerton, California, signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on January 9, 2025. In 2025, he completed 56 of 87 passes (64.4%) for 617 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and four carries for 21 yards in 18 games when the Roughriders won the 112th Grey Cup over the Montreal Alouettes.
The Calgary Stampeders signed Maier on May 5, 2020. He played four seasons in Calgary, completing 1,022 of 1,497 passes (68.3%) for 11,685 yards, 60 touchdowns, 39 interceptions, 60 carries for 232 yards, and five touchdowns in 66 games. In 2023, he became the 10th player in Stampeders’ history to throw 4,000 yards in a single season.
In 2024, he completed 357 of 494 passes (72.3%) for 3,841 yards, 22 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and 10 carries for 46 yards in 18 games. The Saskatchewan Roughriders acquired Maier in a trade with the Calgary Stampeders for a 2025 eighth-round draft pick.
Collegiately, Maier was a redshirt freshman at Sacred Heart University and did not play a game for the Pioneers. Then, he played one season at Long Beach City College in 2016, completing 268 of 422 passes (63.5%) for 3,689 yards, 38 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 68 carries for 116 yards, and two touchdowns in 11 games for the Vikings.
Then, Maier transferred to U.C. Davis (2017-19), completing 992 of 1,495 (66%) for 11,163 yards, 88 touchdowns, 33 interceptions, 108 carries for -120 yards, and four touchdowns in 36 games for the Aggies. He was named the Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Big Sky Conference.
A.J. Allen is six foot and weighs 210 pounds. The 27-year-old from Burlington, Ontario, re-signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on January 9, 2025. In 2025, he made 87 tackles, four tackles on special teams, four sacks, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles in 18 games. In the Grey Cup playoffs, he made eight tackles, one sack, and one tackle on special teams to help the Roughriders win the 112th Grey Cup over the Montreal Alouettes.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders drafted Allen in the fourth round (35th pick) of the 2020 CFL Draft. However, the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19. In 2021, Allen did not make the team and returned to Guelph for his final season.
In 2022, Allen made six tackles and six tackles on special teams in 12 games. In 2023, Allen made 19 tackles and 19 tackles on special teams in 18 games. In 2024, Allen made seven tackles, 22 tackles on special teams, one interception, and one touchdown in 18 games, helping the Roughriders reach the Western Final against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Collegiately, Allen played five seasons at the University of Guelph (2016-19, 2021) with 124 tackles (82 solos, 42 assists), 18 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and three pass breakups in 37 games for the Gryphons. He received the President’s Award as the OUA’s Most Outstanding Stand-Up Defensive Player in 2021, as well as being named an All-Canadian and OUA All-Star.
