The Ottawa Redblacks acquired the rights to defensive lineman Luiji Vilain and a 2026 fourth-round pick (31) from the Toronto Argonauts for a 2026 third-round pick (23) and a conditional 2027 third-round pick on Tuesday. The 2027 conditional third-round pick can be upgraded to a second-round pick should Vilain sign with the Redblacks.
Luiji Vilain is six foot four and weighs 250 pounds. The 28-year-old from Ottawa, Ontario, signed with the Dallas Cowboys on January 6, 2025. They released him on July 22, 2025.
The Toronto Argonauts drafted Vilain in the third round (25th pick) of the 2021 CFL Draft. The Minnesota Vikings signed Vilain as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. He also spent time with the Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns. Vilain made four tackles (3 solos, 1 assist) in five-career regular-season games. He also made 20 tackles (13 solos, 7 assists), 1.5 sacks, four quarterback hits, and one pass breakup in nine preseason games.
Collegiately, Vilain spent four seasons at Michigan (2017-20) with 11 tackles (8 solos, 3 assists), one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble in 12 games for the Wolverines. Then, he transferred to Wake Forest in 2021 with 34 tackles (22 solos, 12 assists), 10 tackles for loss, nine sacks, one pass breakup, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 14 games for the Demon Deacons.
