The Ottawa Redblacks signed wide receivers Kajiya Hollawayne and Carl Chester, and linebacker Taniela Latu on Sunday, according to the CFL Transactions page.
Kajiya Hollawayne is six foot four and weighs 210 pounds. A native of Hemet, California, Hollawayne attended rookie minicamps with the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers in 2026.
Collegiately, Hollawayne began his collegiate career as a quarterback at UCLA in 2021, but did not see any action for the Bruins. Next, he transferred to Grambling State University in 2022 with five catches for 32 yards in six games for the Tigers.
Then, he transferred to Riverside Community College in 2023 with 22 catches for 425 yards, three touchdowns, one punt return for 15 yards, and six tackles (5 solos, 1 assist) in 12 games for the Tigers. Hollawayne concluded his collegiate career at Temple (2024-25) with 48 catches for 609 yards, six touchdowns, completing one pass for 19 yards, and one carry for 16 yards in 23 games for the Owls.
Carl Chester is six foot three and weighs 200 pounds. A native of Manor, Texas, Chester began his collegiate career at Trinity Valley Community College in 2021 with nine catches for 104 yards and one touchdown in nine games for the Cardinals. Next, Chester transferred to Tulsa (2022-23) with 22 catches for 401 yards and one touchdown in 23 games for the Golden Hurricanes.
Then, he transferred to Marshall in 2024 with 20 catches for 342 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games for the Thundering Herd. Chester concluded his collegiate career at Southern Mississippi in 2025 with 31 catches for 551 yards, six touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 13 games for the Golden Eagles.
Taniela Latu is six foot two and weighs 231 pounds. A native of San Mateo, California, Latu attended rookie minicamp with the Cleveland Browns in 2026.
Collegiately, Latu spent one season at the College of San Mateo (2021-22). In 2021, he made 52 tackles (30 solos, 22 assists), 8.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks in 12 games for the Bulldogs. In 2022, he made 47 tackles (38 solos, 9 assists), 12 tackles for loss, eight sacks, one interception, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown in 10 games. He was named a two-time All-Conference and two-time All-State.
Then, he transferred to San Jose State University (2023-25) with 179 tackles (86 solos, 93 assists), 18 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 36 games for the Spartans. In 2024, he made a career-high 70 tackles (30 solos, 40 assists), seven tackles for loss, one sack, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 12 games.
Latu was named a 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist. He was also named an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention in 2024, Third Team All-Mountain West by Phil Steele in 2024, and Fourth Team All-Mountain West by Phil Steele in 2025.
The Redblacks also announced that fullback Emeric Boutin and King Ambers were placed on the six-game injured list, and defensive back Amari Henderson was added to the roster from the injured veterans list. The Redblacks also released wide receiver Roc Taylor, offensive lineman Quez Yates, and linebacker Bryce Ramirez.
