The Ottawa Redblacks signed fullback Emeric Boutin, offensive linemen Alassane Diouf and Jamal Mull, linebackers Benjamin Dobson, Josh Connors, and KK Reno, defensive backs Patrick Cumberbatch, Roterius ‘Ro’ Torrence, long snapper Benjamin Huot, and kicker Jayden Fielding on Thursday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Emeric Boutin is six foot two and weighs 230 pounds. The 23-year-old from L’Assomption, Quebec, was drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks in the second round (13th pick) of the 2026 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Boutin spent three seasons at the University of Laval (2023-25). In 2024, he made 15 catches for 291 yards and two touchdowns in eight games. In 2025, he made nine catches for 88 yards, one touchdown, one carry for four yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in eight games. He was named a two-time RSEQ All-Star and two-time U Sports First Team.
Alassane Diouf is six foot two and weighs 302 pounds. The 24-year-old from Sherbrooke, Quebec, was drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks in the fifth round (39th pick) of the 2026 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Diouf spent four seasons at the University of Montreal (2022-25), playing 32 games for the Carabins. He was named a three-time First Team All-Canadian (2023-25), three-time RSEQ All-Star (2023-25), and RESQ Lineman of the Year in 2025.
Jamal Mull is six foot five and weighs 320 pounds. A native of Clarksville, Tennessee, spent six seasons at the University of Central Arkansas (2020-25), playing guard in 47 games for the Bears. In 2025, he started 12 games. Central Arkansas averaged 24.5 points per game, 372.8 yards per game, 222.1 passing yards per game, 150.7 rushing yards per game, and 38 touchdowns.
Benjamin Dobson is six foot and weighs 207 pounds. The 22-year-old from Cochrane, Alberta, was drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks in the fifth round (41st pick) of the 2026 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Dobson spent four seasons at the University of Calgary (2022-25) with 91 tackles (68 solos, 49 assists), five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one kick return for eight yards in 27 games for the Dinos. In 2025, he made a career-high 30 tackles (22 solos, 16 assists), three tackles for loss, half a sack, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble in six games.
Josh Connors is five foot eleven and weighs 218 pounds. The 24-year-old from Scarborough, Ontario, was drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks in the eighth round (66th pick) of the 2026 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Connors spent four seasons at St. Francis Xavier University (2021-24) with 103 tackles (70 solos, 33 assists), seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, one interception, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick in 21 games for the X-Men. Then, he transferred to Wilfrid Laurier in 2025 with 14 tackles (7 solos, 7 assists) in five games for the Golden Hawks.
KK Reno is six foot and weighs 220 pounds. A native of New Iberia, Louisiana, Reno spent four seasons at Southeastern Louisiana (2022-25) with 270 tackles (93 solos, 177 assists), 12.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, six pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 46 games for the Lions.
In 2024, he was named Second Team All-Southland Conference after finishing the season with 94 tackles (32 solos, 62 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss, one interception, two pass breakups, and three forced fumbles in 12 games.
In 2025, he was named the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Southland Conference, and FCS All-American by the AP after finishing the season with a career-high 126 tackles (42 solos, 84 assists), 10.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 13 games.
Patrick Cumberbatch is six foot three and weighs 180 pounds. A native of Alexandria, Ontario, Cumberbatch spent four seasons at the University of Ottawa (2022-25) with 93 tackles (49 solos, 44 assists), three tackles for loss, five interceptions, two touchdowns, and 10 pass breakups in 31 games for the Gee-Gees. In 2025, he had a career-high 34 tackles (17 solos, 17 assists), two tackles for loss, and one interception in eight games.
Roterius ‘Ro’ Torrence is six foot three and weighs 204 pounds. The 25-year-old from Bessemer, Alabama, signed with the Edmonton Elks on March 21, 2025. In 2025, Torrence made one tackle in one preseason game. The Elks released him on June 1, 2025.
The Seattle Seahawks signed Torrence as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024. Seattle released him on June 25, 2024. Next, the Chicago Bears signed Torrence on August 2, 2024. In 2024, he made five tackles (2 solos, 3 assists) and two pass breakups in three preseason games. The Bears released him on September 25, 2024.
Collegiately, Torrence played two seasons at Hutchinson Community College (2019-20) with 28 tackles (21 solos, 7 assists), three tackles for loss, one interception, and six pass breakups in 11 games for the Blue Dragons. He was named First Team JUCO All-American, First Team All-KJCCC, NJCAA, and KJCCC Defensive Player of the Year in 2020-21.
Next, he transferred to Auburn in 2021 with five tackles (5 solos) in 11 games for the Tigers. Then, he transferred to Arizona State (2022-23) with 73 tackles (47 solos, 26 assists), two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and 13 pass breakups in 21 games for the Sun Devils. In 2023, he made 37 tackles (23 solos, 14 assists), two tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and four pass breakups in 12 games.
Benjamin Huot is six foot two and weighs 200 pounds. A native of Boischatel, Quebec, Huot played one season at Limoilou College in 2021 with 24 tackles (13 solos, 11 assists), one interception, and four pass breakups for the Titans.
Then, he transferred to Sherbrooke (2022-25) with 89 tackles (67 solos, 22 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one blocked kick in 29 games for the Vert et Or.
Jayden Fielding is six foot two and weighs 175 pounds. A native of League City, Texas, Fielding spent four seasons at Ohio State (2022-25) with 370 kickoffs for 23,320 yards (63 AVG), 224 touchbacks, making 45 of 57 field goals (79%) with a long of 49 yards, 178 extra points, and three tackles (3 solos) in 56 games for the Buckeyes. He was named Second Team All-Big 10 in 2023 and helped the Buckeyes win the CFP National Championship in 2024.
