You never get a second change to make a first impression or do you?
The REDBLACKS don’t kick off the pre-season until Friday May 22 when they visit the Alouettes in Montreal but they do have the chance to give REDBLACKS faithful a chance to see the new look REDBLACKS when they hit the field on Saturday May 16 for their annual Fan Fest at TD Place.
Ryan Dinwiddie and co is tasked with what seems to be the impossible, create an excitement around this team that has only seen one winning season and one playoff appearance since they went to the Grey Cup in 2018.
Fans can expect a controlled scrimmage or as Coach Dinwiddie said a “Glorified Practice” on Saturday. They will run through game situations, focus on substitutions and prepare for next week pre-season game.
Fan Fest will take place from 1pm to 4pm at TD Place, you can get tickets for free HERE
There will be plenty of players and position groups to watch but I wanted to highlight some of the depth players that have had good camps that will look to give themselves a push heading into game week.
Receiver room may be the best we have seen in Ottawa and it isn’t because of who is expected to be part of first team but because of who will be sitting behind them incase of injury. I had highlighted them during the rookie camp review last week and they continued to impress.
American Roc Taylor (#9), Canadian Ethan Jordan (#82), American Cade McDonald (#85), and American Sam Schnee (#88) have been the consistent “Second Team” receiving unit and all four players have shown their potential at different times. Much like Kalil Pimpleton in 2024, any of these four could be hard to take off the field once given their opportunity.
The starting offensive line unit has been pretty consistent throughout camp and breakdowns with 2 American tackles with Dino Boyd (#64) at Left Tackle and Martez Ivey (#50) at Right Tackle and 3 National interior lineman with Drew Desjarlais (#61) at Left Guard, Samuel Carson (#69) at Center and Zach Pelehos (#52) at Right Guard.
Samuel Carson may or may not start the season at center. Sean McEwen (#51) is still recovering from an ACL injury suffered during training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders last year. McEwen has been working with the group but has stayed out of most contact drills during the first week, working primarily with the quarterbacks during those segments of practice.
First Overall Pick in the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft Giordano Vaccaro (#68) has been taking reps at center and both guard spots throughout camp. Expect to see him get snaps with the first team in replace of Carson or Pelehos.
On the defensive side of the ball, there has been significant change with a whole new starting linebacking core and key changes in the secondary and defensive line.
National A.J. Allen (#0) at WILL, American Nyles Morgan (#1) at MACK and American C.J. Reavis (#8) at SAM. This group features three All-CFL caliber players who can change the game themselves. The big question is can they be effective together?
American Defensive Back Demario Houston (#6) is an All-CFL caliber addition that has been playing the boundary side Corner spot throughout camp. He will be tasked at taking care of opposing teams #1 receivers. National Defensive Back King Ambers (#27) has had a good camp and could be a future ratio breaker playing Halfback.
Next Big Canadian Quarterback?
Carleton Ravens Quarterback Elijah Barnes is partaking in REDBLACKS training camp through the CFL QB Internship Program and has not looked out of place since arriving.
The Hamilton, Ontario native much like the rest of the team, didn’t have a great 2025 season with the Ravens, as the club went 3-5 and missing the playoffs. He registered 1647 yards, 7 touchdowns and 6 interceptions with a 65% Completion Percentage.
Barnes had participated in the 2026 USports East-West Bowl in Waterloo prior to joining the REDBLACKS Training Camp, He completed 14 of 19 passes for 192 yards, he registered 27-yard touchdown run. He led a potential game winning drive but the game winning field goal was blocked. West would win 28-27.
“Physically, he looks like a specimen and he’s very intellectual too. He was able to pick up the snap count, picked up the reads pretty quick” said REDBLACKS Quarterback Coach Drew Tate.
When asked about what he has seen from him Ryan Dinwiddie had glowing praise, “He’s got a big arm and big, tall kid that can move around. He has the best cadence of the group.”
Injury Update
Nation defensive lineman Cleyon Laing (#90) and Luiji Vilian (#44) along with American defensive back Bennett Williams and linebacker Ro Torrence were held out of practice on Thursday as a percussion. Expectations is that this is short term for all 4 and they should be back on the field in the coming days.
National receiver Nick Mardner was back practicing this week as he works his way back from a knee injury that took all of his 2025 season that he suffered during training camp last year. He has worked primarily with the 2nd receiving unit.
Recently signed Sean McEwen is also working his way back from an ACL injury suffered during training camp. No timeline for his return to full action.
Former NFL receiver Andy Isabella has been transferred to the suspension list. He announced on Instagram that due to a preexisting injury that he will not be reporting to camp and is unsure about his playing future at this time. The 29 year-old was selected 82nd overall in the 2nd round by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft.