The Ottawa Redblacks acquired linebacker Kyahva Tezino from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the exclusive negotiation rights to quarterback Ty Pennington on Wednesday.
Kyahva Tezino is six foot and weighs 235 pounds. The 29-year-old from Los Angeles, California, was drafted by the Birmingham Stallions in the 2026 UFL Draft. In 2026, he made 68 tackles (41 solos, 27 assists), three tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and one pass breakup in 10 games. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Tezino to the practice squad on August 24, 2026.
The New England Patriots signed Tezino as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He also had a stint with the Carolina Panthers. The Pittsburgh Maulers drafted Tezino in the 31st round (249th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. In 2022, Tezino made 86 tackles (56 solos, 30 assists), five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, eight sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles, and six pass breakups in nine games.
In 2023, Tezino made 94 tackles (53 solos, 41 assists), nine tackles for loss, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two touchdowns, and six pass breakups in ten games for the Pittsburgh Maulers.
In the USFL Playoffs, Tezino made 22 tackles (15 solos, 7 assists) and one fumble recovery in two games, leading the Maulers to the 2023 USFL Championship. He was named the All-USFL Team after the season. After the season, Tezino signed with the San Francisco 49ers with one tackle (1 solo) in three preseason games. Tezino re-signed with the Birmingham Stallions on December 27, 2023.
In 2024, Tezino made 70 tackles (38 solos, 32 assists), three tackles for loss, half a sack, and five pass breakups in 10 games. In the UFL Playoffs, Tezino made 15 tackles (8 solo, 7 assists), two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in two games, helping the Stallions win their third consecutive championship (2 USFL, 1 UFL).
The Stallions released him on August 19, 2024, and he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 20, 2024. Tezino made four tackles (1 solo, 3 assists) in one preseason game. The Steelers released him on August 26, 2024. Tezino re-signed with the Stallions on January 23, 2025. In 2025, he made 57 tackles (29 solos, 28 assists), five tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 10 games. In the USFL Conference Championship game against the Michigan Panthers, Tezino made five tackles (3 solos, 2 assists).
Collegiately, Tezino played four seasons at San Diego State (2016-19) with 290 tackles (150 solos, 140 assists), 32.5 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 47 games for the Aztecs.
He was named a two-time First Team All-Mountain West in 2018 and 2019, winner of the SDSU Byron H. Chase Memorial Trophy Defensive Player of the Year in 2018, and was named the New Mexico Bowl Defensive MVP in 2019.
Ty Pennington is six foot two and weighs 220 pounds. The 22-year-old from Sand Springs, Oklahoma, is currently a senior at Northern Arizona University. Last week against Eastern Washington, Pennington completed 15 of 27 passes (56%) for 164 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and eight carries for 61 yards in a 34-27 win over the Eagles.
Collegiately, Pennington began at Pittsburg State University (2022-23). He was a redshirt freshman in 2022. In 2023, he completed 46 of 69 passes (67%) for 447 yards, six touchdowns, one interception, 76 carries for 359 yards, and four rushing touchdowns in 13 games for the Gorillas.
Then, he transferred to Northern Arizona University (2024-26). In 2024, he was named the Big Sky Newcomer of the Year after finishing the season completing 187 of 287 passes (65%) for 2,288 yards, 13 touchdowns, two interceptions, 104 carries for 437 yards, and seven rushing touchdowns in 12 games. In 2025, he was named an All-Big Sky Honorable Mention after finishing the season completing 251 of 382 passes (66%) for 3,116 yards, 19 touchdowns, four interceptions, 94 carries for 193 yards, and two rushing touchdowns in 12 games.
