The Ottawa Redblacks released quarterback Matthew McKay, wide receivers Dontay Demus, Sam James Jr., and Garett Maag, offensive lineman Des Holmes, defensive lineman Michael “MJ” Anderson, defensive back Elijah Blades, and kicker Michael Domagala.
Matthew McKay is six foot four and weighs 212 pounds. The 24-year-old from Raleigh, North Carolina, went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. McKay had workouts with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys before earning a rookie minicamp invite from the Cowboys. Then, McKay signed with the San Antonio Brahmas (UFL) on October 18, 2023, but was released on January 31, 2024. The Redblacks signed McKay on March 1, 2024.
Collegiately, McKay played two seasons at North Carolina State (2018-19) completing 93 of 158 passes (58.9%) for 997 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, 38 carries for 99 yards, 5 touchdowns, two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist), and one pass breakup in 12 games for the Wolfpack.
Next, McKay transferred to Montana State (2020-21) completing 153 of 246 passes (62.2%) for 2,021 yards, 17 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 78 carries for 316 yards, and 2 touchdowns in 11 games for the Bobcats.
Then, McKay transferred to Elon University in 2022 completing 197 of 323 passes (61%) for 2,709 yards, 21 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 119 carries for 458 yards, and 3 touchdowns in 12 games for the Phoenix.
Dontay Demus Jr. is six foot three and weighs 218 pounds. The 23-year-old from Washington, D.C., signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Demus Jr. made three catches for 97 yards in three preseason games for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023. After the preseason, Demus Jr. was signed to the practice squad but was released on October 3, 2023.
Next, Demus Jr. signed with the Philadelphia Stars on December 6, 2023, but the USFL and XFL merged into the UFL and the Stars were not included for the 2024 season. The Redblacks signed Demus Jr. on January 22, 2024.
Collegiately, Demus Jr. played five seasons at the University of Maryland (2018-22) with 128 catches for 2,008 yards, 14 touchdowns, 1 carry for 4 yards, and 5 kick returns for 95 yards in 47 games for the Terrapins. He is a three-time All-Big 10 Honorable Mention.
Sam James Jr. is six foot and weighs 176 pounds. The 24-year-old from Richmond Hill, Georgia, signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2023, but was released on June 21, 2023. Then, James Jr. signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on March 12, 2024.
Collegiately, James Jr. played five seasons at West Virginia (2018-22) making 190 catches for 2,229 yards, 15 touchdowns, 10 carries for 41 yards, completing one pass for 12 yards, 26 kick returns for 487 yards, one punt return for -2 yards, and three tackles (2 solo, 1 assist) in 50 games for the Mountaineers.
In 2022, James Jr. made 46 catches for 745 yards, six touchdowns, three carries for nine yards, completed one pass for 12 yards, and 11 kick returns for 214 yards in 12 games. He was a two-time Preseason Fourth Team All-Big 12 Conference by both the Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.
Garett Maag is six foot four and weighs 209 pounds. The 24-year-old from Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Next, Maag signed with the Michigan Panthers (UFL) on October 23, 2023. He was released by the Panthers on March 10, 2024. Then, the Ottawa Redblacks signed Maag on April 3, 2024.
Collegiately, Maag played five seasons at North Dakota (2018-22) with 162 catches for 2,152 yards, 18 touchdowns, and four tackles (4 solo) in 49 games for the Fighting Hawks.
Des Holmes is six foot five and weighs 307 pounds. The 24-year-old from Norristown, Pennsylvania, attended Ottawa’s training camp in 2023 but was released on May 17, 2023. The Redblacks re-signed Holmes on January 23, 2024.
Collegiately, Holmes played four seasons at Penn State (2018-21) playing left tackle in 21 games for the Nittany Lions. In 2020 against Indiana, he helped Penn State’s offense gain 488 yards, including 250 on the ground.
In addition, the Nittany Lions’ offense helped quarterback Sean Clifford throw for 238 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for a career-high 119 yards and a score. Then, he transferred to Arizona State in 2022 playing ten games at left tackle for the Sun Devils.
Michael “MJ” Anderson is six foot three and weighs 275 pounds. The 23-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri, signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023, but was released on August 6, 2023. The Redblacks signed Anderson on May 8, 2024.
Collegiately, Anderson played three seasons at Minnesota (2019-21) making eight tackles (4 solo, 4 assists), one tackle for loss, one sack, and two pass breakups in 16 games for the Golden Gophers. Then, Anderson transferred to Iowa State in 2022 making 37 tackles (20 solo, 17 assists), nine tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery in 12 games for the Cyclones.
Elijah Blades is six foot two and weighs 185 pounds. The 24-year-old from Pasadena, California, was drafted by the Houston Roughnecks (XFL) in the 2023 XFL Combine Draft. The Roughnecks were not included in the XFL and USFL merger which formed the United Football League (UFL) but the brand went to the Houston Gamblers.
Then, Blades was drafted by the D.C. Defenders in the 2024 UFL Dispersal Draft. The Defenders released him on March 10, 2024, and he later signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on April 8, 2024.
Collegiately, Blades played two seasons at Arizona Western Community College (2017–18) with 39 tackles (24 solo, 15 assists), one interception for 54 yards, one touchdown, nine pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one blocked punt in 21 games for the Matadors where he was ranked the No. 4 JUCO player.
Next, he transferred to Texas A&M (2019-20) with 19 tackles (15 solo, 4 assists), 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and three pass breakups in eight games for the Aggies. Then, he transferred to Florida in 2021 with three tackles (2 solo, 1 assist) in three games for the Gators. Blades concluded his collegiate career at Buffalo in 2022 with 27 tackles (22 solo, 5 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss, and four pass breakups in eight games for the Bulls.
Michael Domagala is five foot nine and weighs 202 pounds. The 28-year-old from St. Catharines, Ontario, joined the Redblacks late in the 2023 season after Lewis Ward’s season ended with a torn pectoral muscle. Domagala converted eight of nine field goals with a long 46 yards, made eight extra points, and one tackle in five games. The Redblacks released Domagala on May 7, 2024, and re-signed him five days later.
Before Ottawa, He was on the Elks practice squad in 2023. Domagala signed with the Elks on February 16th and played in two preseason games with five punts for 202 yards.
In 2022, Domagala made 12 of 16 field goals (75%), converting four of five extra points, and 65 punts for 2,910 yards in 17 games for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In two seasons in Hamilton, Domagala made 19 of 26 field goals (73.1%), converted 12 of 15 extra points, and had 90 punts for 3,996 yards in 23 games.
Collegiately, Domagala played six seasons at Carleton University (2013-18) making 73 of 96 field goals (76%), converting 132 field goals, and 347 punts for 13,474 yards in 42 games for the Ravens.
