The Ottawa Redblacks have signed three defensive backs to one-year contracts for the 2025 season: Canadian Tunde Adeleke alongside Americans Nafees Lyon and Amari Henderson.
“They are proven contributors whose experience will be an asset to our football club,” general manager Shawn Burke said in a statement.
The 29-year-old Adeleke knows the nation’s capital after spending his U Sports career with the Carleton Ravens from 2013 to 2016.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, and raised in Ottawa, he suited up with the Toronto Argonauts last year, winning his second Grey Cup during a season in which he appeared in 10 games, tallying 16 total tackles.
Adeleke was selected in the third round, 25th overall by the Calgary Stampeders in 2017. He spent two seasons in Cowtown while winning a Grey Cup in 2018 then signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2019. The veteran DB earned All-CFL honours in 2019 along with an East all-star nod in 2021.
The 28-year-old Lyon spent his third season with the Montreal Alouettes in 2024, recording 32 total tackles and one interception in 10 games.
The Charlotte, NC product, who played his collegiate football at UNC Charlotte, previously suited up with the Edmonton Elks from 2021 to 2022, then was traded to the Als where he won a Grey Cup in 2023. Through 30 CFL games, he has recorded 115 total tackles, five interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble.
The 27-year-old Henderson has been with the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the last three seasons. In 2024, he recorded 33 tackles and two forced fumbles in eight games, suiting up in both playoff games.
The Charlotte, NC native has made 37 CFL appearances, registering 110 total tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Prior to arriving in Canada, Henderson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars coming out of Wake Forest, and also spent time with the Minnesota Vikings.
