The Ottawa Redblacks signed defensive backs Jalen Jones and Dionte Ruffin on Wednesday.
Jalen Jones is six foot and weighs 195 pounds. The 23-year-old from Chesapeake, Virginia, attended the Washington Commanders rookie minicamp in 2026.
Collegiately, Jones spent five seasons at William & Mary (2021-25) with 128 tackles (93 solos, 35 assists), 4.5 tackles for loss, eight interceptions for 90 yards, one touchdown, 51 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and eight punt returns for 37 yards in 47 games for the Tribe.
In 2024, Jones was named First Team All-American by Associated Press (AP), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Walter Camp, Stats Perform, Phil Steele, and FCS Football Central, along with First Team All-CAA and a Buck Buchanan Award Finalist for FCS national defensive player of the year after finishing the season with a career-high 48 tackles (30 solos, 18 assists), two tackles for loss, two interceptions for 14 yards, 22 pass breakups, two forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 12 games.
In 2025, he was named a Team Captain. He was also named Buck Buchanan Award Finalist for FCS national defensive player of the year, First Team All-CAA, Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention, Second Team All-American by AFCA, and First Team All-American by Phil Steele, FCS Football Central, and Stats Perform after finishing the season with 39 tackles (26 solos, 13 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions for 15 yards, and 12 pass breakups in 11 games. He finished his career tied for second in program history in career passes defended.
Dionté Ruffin is five foot ten and weighs 177 pounds. The 27-year-old from Kenner, Louisiana, signed with the B.C. Lions on February 13, 2026. In 2026, he made one tackle in one preseason game. The Lions released him on May 31, 2026.
The Chicago Bears signed Ruffin as an undrafted free agent on May 14, 2021. In 2021, Ruffin made five tackles (3 solos, 2 assists) and one pass breakup in two preseason games. The Bears released him on August 16, 2021. The Calgary Stampeders signed Ruffin on February 1, 2022. In 2022, he made 39 tackles, one tackle on special teams, and one interception in nine games for the Stampeders.
The Montreal Alouettes signed Ruffin as a free agent on December 12, 2022. In 2023, he made 23 tackles and one forced fumble in 12 games, helping the Alouettes win the 110th Grey Cup. The Alouettes re-signed him on December 23, 2023. In 2024, he made 56 tackles, one tackle on special teams, five interceptions, and one touchdown in 18 games. In 2025 made 11 tackles in eight games. In the Eastern Semi-Final against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Ruffin made two tackles. The Alouettes released him on January 5, 2026.
Collegiately, Ruffin played four seasons at Western Kentucky (2017-20) with 78 tackles (62 solos, 16 assists), one tackle for loss, one interception for 28 yards, 25 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 48 games for the Hilltoppers. He was named Second Team All-Conference USA in 2020.
