The Ottawa Redblacks signed linebacker DeMarquis Gates to the practice squad on Wednesday.
DeMarquis Gates is six foot two and weighs 230 pounds. The 30-year-old from Hampton, Georgia, re-signed with the Stallions on March 24. 2025. In 2025, he made 36 tackles (24 solos, 12 assists), two tackles for loss, half a sack, and three pass breakups in nine games. In the playoffs, he made three tackles (2 solos, 1 assist) and one tackle for loss against the Michigan Panthers in the USFL Conference Championship Game.
The Cleveland Browns signed Gates as an undrafted free agent on May 22, 2018. The Browns released him on June 14, 2018. He also had stints with the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings. Next, Gates played for the Memphis Express (AAF) in 2019 with 72 tackles (53 solos, 19 assists), two fumble recoveries, and five forced fumbles in eight games before the league ceased operations.
In 2020, Gates played four games for the Houston Roughnecks (XFL) with 32 tackles (25 solos, 7 assists), two sacks, and one interception in five games before the league shutdown due to the pandemic. In 2021, Gates played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders with five tackles and three tackles on special teams.
Next, Gates was drafted by the Birmingham Stallions in the 29th round (234th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. In 2022, Gates made 62 tackles (43 solos, 19 assists), 11 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and three pass breakups.
In the playoffs, Gates made 14 tackles (12 solos, 2 assists), one tackle for loss, half a sack, one interception for 71 yards, one touchdown, and three pass breakups, helping the Stallions win the USFL Championship. He was named to the All-USFL Team in 2022.
The Chicago Bears signed Gates as a free agent on August 6, 2022. He made one tackle (1 solo) in one game for the Chicago Bears in 2023 against the Green Bay Packers. The Bears released him on January 3, 2024.
Gates re-signed with the Stallions on February 13, 2024. In 2024, Gates made 37 tackles (22 solo, 15 assists), three tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble in seven games.
In the 2024 UFL playoffs, Gates made eight tackles (3 solos, 5 assists), one tackle for loss, and one sack in two games, helping the Stallions win their third consecutive championship (2 USFL, 1 UFL). The Stallions re-signed Gates on September 20, 2024, and released him on March 19, 2025.
Collegiately, Gates played four seasons at Ole Miss (2014-17) with 282 tackles (163 solos, 119 assists), 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, nine pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and three forced fumbles in 45 games for the Rebels.
