The Ottawa Redblacks signed defensive lineman Norell Pollard and defensive backs Benny Sapp III and Travian Blaylock on Monday.
Norell Pollard is six foot one and weighs 283 pounds. The 25-year-old from Apopka, Florida, signed with the Calgary Stampeders on February 2, 2026. In 2026, he made one tackle in two preseason games. The Stampeders released him on May 30, 2026.
The Washington Commanders signed Pollard as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. He spent two seasons in Washington with five tackles (3 solos, 2 assists) in six preseason games. The Commanders released him on August 25, 2025.
Collegiately, Pollard spent five seasons at Virginia Tech (2019-23) with 118 tackles (45 solos, 73 assists), 22 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one touchdown in 61 games for the Hokies. In 2020, he had a career-high 30 tackles (13 solos, 17 assists), 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in 11 games. He was named Second Team All-Freshman by PFF.
Benny Sapp III is six foot one and weighs 205 pounds. The 26-year-old from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, made two tackles in two preseason games. The Roughriders released him on May 30, 2026. The Calgary Stampeders signed Sapp III on June 23, 2026. In 2026, he made seven tackles in three games. The Stampeders released him on July 20, 2026.
The Green Bay Packers signed Sapp III as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2023. In 2023, he made two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) in five games. In 2024, he made two tackles (2 assists) in three preseason games. The Packers released him on August 27, 2024. Then, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons on December 9, 2024. The Falcons released him on June 2, 2025.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Sapp III to the practice squad on August 19, 2025. In 2025, he made 19 tackles, three tackles on special teams, and one forced fumble in six games, helping the Roughriders win the 112th Grey Cup.
Collegiately, Sapp III played two seasons at Minnesota (2018-19) with eight tackles (3 solos, 5 assists) in 24 games for the Golden Gophers. Then, he transferred to Northern Iowa (2020-22) with 138 tackles (83 solos, 55 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss, nine interceptions for 57 yards, 16 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 30 games for the Panthers.
He was named First Team All-MVFC, First Team All-MVFC by The Bluebloods, Second Team All-American by STATS Perform and AFCA, and Third Team All-American by the Associated Press.
Travian Blaylock is five foot eleven and weighs 208 pounds. The 26-year-old from Humble, Texas, signed with the Edmonton Elks on January 16, 2026. In 2026, he made one tackle in one preseason game. The Elks released him on May 31, 2026.
Blaylock attended the Chicago Bears rookie minicamp in 2024. The B.C. Lions signed Blaylock on April 22, 2025. In 2025, he made three tackles in one preseason game. He spent three weeks on the practice squad. The Lions released him on June 25, 2025.
The Lions re-signed Blaylock to the practice squad on July 1, 2025. Blaylock appeared in one game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, making three tackles. The Lions released him again on October 31, 2025.
Collegiately, Blaylock played six seasons at Wisconsin (2018-23) with 26 tackles (12 solos, 14 assists), one tackle for loss, half a sack, one pass breakup, and two fumble recoveries in 35 games for the Badgers.
He missed the entire 2022 season due to an injury. In 2023, he made seven tackles (4 solos, 3 assists) and one pass breakup in 13 games. Blaylock was named a four-time Academic All-Big Ten.
Blaylock’s dad, Derrick, was a football player drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round (150th pick) of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played six seasons in the NFL (2001-07) with the Chiefs, the New York Jets, and the Washington Redskins, with 156 carries for 723 yards, 10 touchdowns, 45 catches for 474 yards, two touchdowns, 19 tackles (19 solos), and five kick returns for 103 yards in 51 games.
The Redblacks also released defensive lineman Jordan Lawson.
Jordan Lawson is six foot four and weighs 245 pounds. The 24-year-old from Brandon, Mississippi, attended the Miami Dolphins rookie minicamp in 2026. The Ottawa Redblacks signed Lawson to the practice squad on August 3, 2026.
Collegiately, Lawson spent four seasons at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (2022-25) with 161 tackles (81 solos, 80 assists), 35 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, one interception, four pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick in 49 games for the Rajin’ Cajuns.
He was named Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference in 2024 after finishing the season with 44 tackles (24 solos, 20 assists), 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one interception, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 14 games.
In 2025, he had a career-high 52 tackles (28 solos, 24 assists), 15 tackles for loss, five sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick in 13 games.
