The Ottawa REDBLACKS have released their first depth chart of the 2026 season ahead of their pre-season opener when they head to La belle province for a Friday Night Light match up versus the Montréal Alouettes.
REDBLACKS depth chart doesn’t provide much surprise with majority of the projected starters staying in Ottawa.
Camp Highlights
AMR DB Shakur Brown (#9) has been taking first team snaps in replacement of AMR DB Amari Henderson (#4) whose been on the Veteran Injured List since the start of camp.
CND OL Giordano Vaccaro (#68) and Sam Carson (#69) have split time at center and guard. Expect to see both get snaps at both positions throughout the game.
CND DE Aidan John (#93) has been taking first team reps in replacement of AMR DE Bryce Carter (#91) but he is expected to be part of the 4 man DE Rotation with Luiji Vilain (#44), Bryce Carter (#91), Habakkuk Baldonado (#95)
Receiver unit has been the best and most intriguing unit through camp, Americans Sam Schnee (#88), Roc Taylor (#89), Cade McDonald (#85) and Canadians Nick Mardner (#84) and Ethan Jordan (#82) have been noticeable during every team activity either it be versus air or versus DBs.
CFL Is Back – Trench Talk with Shane and Coach Phil
5 Players To Watch
NAT – Charlie Parks #94 – Defensive End
The 4th round, 31st overall pick in 2026 has been running primarily with the 3s through main camp but has been able to show what he can do when called upon so far.
“He has been looking good” said Defensive Lineman Coach Phillip Daniels “He picks up things fast, smart, I like the way he approached camp, the way he came into camp.”
He is currently the 3rd Canadian DE and the 5th Canadian defenisve lineman on the roster but that isn’t new, many CFL Draft picks, he is going to work on special teams to stay on the roster, however, he should be a quality piece if injuries arise throughout the season and this is the perfect opportunity to showcase that.
AMR – Cade McDonald #85 – Receiver
If you have read any of the previous training camp articles that I have put out, you have heard me talk about Cade. He has easily been the best depth American receiver in training camp and has shown that he deserves to be that 5th American receiver on the roster.
Throughout training camp this week, McDonald made his presence known with multiple contest and tight window catches all over the field.
“Cade had had a good camp. We are moving him around” Said Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie ”
NAT – Luiji Vilain #44 – Defensive End
The Ottawa native has been running with the 2nd unit for the majority of camp but that isn’t an indication of where the team sees him.
When talking to Defensive Line Coach Phillip Daniels, he made it clear throughout the conversation that he doesn’t believe in the standard 1st team, vs 2nd team mentality. He wants every player to prepare like a starter and will rotate guys throughout the game to keep everyone fresh and effective.
The big question for him is after spending over a decade playing American rule football, has he had enough time to adjust his skill set to the Canadian game or will he need in game reps over the next couple of weeks and won’t see him at his potential into early in the season?
is he just another hyped former NFLer that can’t translate or will he be able to translate his game up here?
AMR – Martez Ivey #50 – Offensive Line
Ivey is looking to rebound after what was a very disappointing 2025 season with the Edmonton Elks. He has shown what he can do, the 2024 season that saw him earn CFL West All-Star.
Dinwiddie made it known that him [Ivey] and Pelehos would be splitting time at right guard and right tackle throughout camp and has stayed true as Ivey was taking majority of right guard reps during the first week and bit of camp.
If Ivey can regain his form that he displayed in Edmonton during the 2024 season, Ottawa could have one of the best offensive lineman in the CFL.