The Ottawa Redblacks re-signed defensive back Sherrod Baltimore to a one-year contract extension through the 2023 season on Friday. In addition, the Redblacks signed former Hamilton Tiger-Cats wide receiver Lemar Durant and former B.C. Lions wide receiver Nykeim Johnson.
Sherrod Baltimore, a 30-year-old from Fort Washington, Maryland, made 22 tackles in 13 games for the Redblacks in 2022. This will be Baltimore’s sixth season in Ottawa. The Redblacks signed Baltimore as a free agent in 2017. In five seasons, Baltimore has 136 tackles, two interceptions, and forced fumbles in 60 games.
Collegiately, Baltimore played four seasons at Maine (2012-15) with 47 tackles, three interceptions, and ten pass breakups in 24 games for the Black Bears.
Lemar Durant, a 30-year-old from Vancouver, British Columbia, made 12 catches for 112 yards, and one touchdown in 11 games for the Ticats in 2022.
The Calgary Stampeders drafted the six-year veteran in the second round (18th pick) in the 2015 CFL Draft out of Simon Fraser. He played four seasons in Calgary with 102 catches for 1,280 yards and eight touchdowns in 51 games.
In 2019, Durant signed with the B.C. Lions. He played two seasons with 81 catches for 1,073 yards and five touchdowns in 23 games.
Collegiately, Durant played three seasons at Simon Fraser (2012-14) with 175 catches for 2,392 yards, 26 touchdowns, four carries for 34 yards, and one touchdown in 23 games for Red Leafs.
Nykeim Johnson, a 24-year-old from Washington, D.C., was on the B.C. Lions practice squad in 2022. Collegiately, Johnson played four seasons at Syracuse University (2017-20) with 88 catches for 1,055 yards, eight touchdowns, and 15 carries for 105 yards in 46 games. In 2020, he earned Second Team All-ACC honors as a return specialist.
Then, in 2021, he transferred to Kent State, making 54 catches for 620 yards, three touchdowns, ten carries for 83 yards, and two touchdowns in 14 games. In addition, he had 16 kick returns for 346 yards and 12 punt returns for 66 yards.
