The Ottawa Redblacks signed offensive linemen Dontae Bull and Lucas Lavin on Wednesday.
Dontae Bull is six foot seven and weighs 335 pounds. The 24-year-old from Victoria, British Columbia, was selected as the number one overall pick in the 2023 CFL Draft on Tuesday by the Ottawa Redblacks. In his senior season, Bull started at right tackle in seven games for the Bulldogs before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Before the season, Bull was on the All-Mountain West offensive lineman, Phil Steele First Team All-MW, Athlon Sports Third Team All-MW, Shrine Bowl 1000, and Senior Bowl watch lists.
“When drafting a player first overall, we want to have the ability to have them at training camp, to get started,” said General Manager Shawn Burke. “Dontae understood that, and we’re excited to have him under contract to be an Ottawa Redblacks.”
Dontae Bull played 37 games in four seasons at Fresno State (2018-19, 2021-22). In 2020, Bull helped protect the top offense in the Mountain West, helped protect the No. 5 passing offense and No. 17 total offense in the NCAA, and helped Fresno State to its most rushing yards in a game this season, 243 at UNLV (Nov. 7).
Lucas Lavin is six foot five and weighs 327 pounds. The 27-year-old from Nykoping, Sweden, was selected by the Redblacks in the second round (10th pick) in the 2023 CFL Global Draft.
Lucas Lavin played one season at Chattanooga in 2022 helping the Mocs to a 7-4 record. Before Chattanooga, Lavin played his junior season at Northern Colorado. In addition, Lavin played 12 games in two seasons at The College of San Francisco.
