The Ottawa Redblacks released defensive backs Amari Henderson and Demerio Houston on Monday.
Amari Henderson is six foot one and weighs 182 pounds. The 28-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, re-signed with the Redblacks on December 30, 2025. In 2026, he made 20 tackles in six games.
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Henderson as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2020. The Jaguars released him on September 5, 2020. Next, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings on June 8, 2021. Minnesota released him on August 17, 2021.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Henderson as a free agent on January 20, 2022. In 2022, Henderson made 31 tackles in 11 games. In 2023, he made 45 tackles, one tackle on special teams, and two interceptions in 18 games.
The Roughriders re-signed Henderson on December 15, 2023. In 2024, he made 33 tackles and two forced fumbles in eight games. He became a free agent after the 2024 season. Henderson signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on February 11, 2025. In 2025, Henderson made 18 tackles and one interception in nine games.
Collegiately, Henderson played five seasons at Wake Forrest (2015-19) with 169 tackles (130 solos, 39 assists), four tackles for loss, seven interceptions, 48 pass blocks, and two fumble recoveries in 46 games for the Demon Deacons. He was named Second Team All-ACC in 2019.
Demerio Houston is five foot ten and weighs 173 pounds. The 29-year-old from Shelby, North Carolina, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on February 10, 2026. In 2026, he made 23 tackles and one tackle on special teams in eight games.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Houston as a free agent on October 22, 2019. He played three seasons with 84 tackles, three tackles on special teams, nine interceptions, and one touchdown in 30 games. In 2023, he made 50 tackles, seven interceptions, and one touchdown in 15 games. He was named a CFL West All-Star and CFL All-Star after the season.
The Calgary Stampeders signed Houston on February 6, 2024. In 2024, he made 74 tackles, one sack, five interceptions, and one forced fumble in 15 games. The Stampeders released him on February 12, 2025. Houston signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on August 17, 2025. In 2025, he made 17 tackles in five games. In the Eastern Semi-Final against the Montreal Alouettes, he made four tackles.
Collegiately, Houston played four seasons at Southern University (2015-18) with 114 tackles (77 solos, 37 assists), five interceptions for 142 yards, seven punt returns for 206 yards, and one touchdown in 43 games for the Jaguars.
The Redblacks signed wide receiver Grant DuBose, offensive lineman Jaxon Morkin, defensive back Kenzel Lawler, and long snapper Lucus Spencer.
Grant DuBose is six foot three and weighs 200 pounds. The 25-year-old from Montgomery, Alabama, was drafted by the D.C. Defenders in the 2026 UFL Draft. The Defenders released him on January 20, 2026. The Columbus Aviators signed him on April 9, 2026. He did not appear in a game for the Aviators in 2026. The Aviators released him on May 5, 2026.
The Green Bay Packers drafted DuBose in the seventh round (256th pick) of the 2023 NFL Draft. In 2023, he made three catches for 35 yards in two preseason games. DuBose spent the season on the practice squad. In 2024, he made five catches for 66 yards in three preseason games. The Packers released him on August 27, 2024.
The Miami Dolphins acquired DuBose on August 28, 2024. He appeared in three regular-season games with two catches for 11 yards. He dealt with shoulder and head injuries. He became a free agent after the 2024 season. The Buffalo Bills signed DuBose on August 19, 2025. He dealt with a shoulder injury and did not play in the preseason. The Bills released him on August 24, 2025.
Collegiately, DuBose spent two seasons at Miles College (2019-20). In 2019, he made eight catches for 104 yards, one touchdown, and four tackles (2 solos, 2 assists) in 10 games for the Golden Bears. The 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Then, he transferred to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (2021-22) with 125 catches for 1,679 yards, 15 touchdowns, three carries for 18 yards, nine punt returns for 76 yards, and two tackles (2 solos) in 24 games for the 49ers.
In 2021, he was named an All-CUSA Honorable Mention after finishing the season with 62 catches for 892 yards, six touchdowns, three carries for 18 yards, and two tackles (2 solos) in 12 games. In 2022, he was named Second Team All-CUSA after finishing the season with 63 catches for 787 yards, nine touchdowns, and nine punt returns for 76 yards in 12 games.
Jaxon Morkin is six foot three and weighs 290 pounds. The 25-year-old from Windsor, Ontario, was drafted by the Edmonton Elks in the fourth round (30th pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft. Morkin appeared in two preseason games for the Elks in 2024, earning a spot on the practice squad. The Elks released him on August 12, 2024, and he returned to Windsor to play in his final collegiate season. The Elks re-signed Morkin on December 6, 2024. In 2025, he played four games. In 2026, he played right guard in two preseason games. The Elks released him on May 31, 2026.
Collegiately, Morkin played four seasons at the University of Windsor (2019-24) with one catch for two yards and one carry for 8 yards in 28 games for the Lancers in 2023. He helped the Lancers win their first playoff game in 50 years. In 2024, Morkin started nine games. Windsor’s offense averaged 26.11 points per game, 195.2 rushing yards per game, 163.78 passing yards per game, 339.0 total yards per game, and 22 touchdowns, finishing 5-4 in the season and losing to Queen’s in the OUA Quarterfinals.
Kenzel Lawler is six foot and weighs 190 pounds. A native of Corona, California, Lawler attended rookie minicamps with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs in 2026.
Collegiately, Lawler spent four seasons at the University of Utah (2020-23) with one tackle (1 solo) and one pass breakup in 16 games for the Utes. Then, he transferred to the University of Montana (2024-25) with 69 tackles (43 solos, 26 assists), 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions for 21 yards, one touchdown, 15 pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 28 games for the Grizzlies.
In 2025, he made a career-high 58 tackles (36 solos, 22 assists), 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions for 21 yards, one touchdown, 15 pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 15 games. He was named the Big Sky Co-Defensive Player of the Week on October 13th when he made two tackles (2 assists) and had a pick-six 21-yard touchdown against Cal Poly.
Lucus Spencer is six foot two and weighs 235 pounds. The 25-year-old from Kelowna, British Columbia, signed with the Montreal Alouettes on May 10, 2026. In 2026, he played two preseason games. The Alouettes released him on May 30, 2026.
Spencer played for the Okanagan Sun in 2019 with three tackles and four tackles on special teams in six games.
Collegiately, Spencer spent four seasons at Bishop’s University (2021-24) with 16 tackles (11 solos, 5 assists) and half a tackle for loss in 30 games for the Gaiters. In 2025, he made five tackles (4 solos, 1 assist) in 11 games.
