The Ottawa Redblacks released defensive back Louis Lavaud on Saturday according to the CFL Transactions page. The Redblacks also added defensive back Justin Howell from the suspended list and placed defensive lineman Kene Onyeka on the six-game injured list.
Louis Lavaud is six foot and weighs 186 pounds. A native of Montreal, Quebec, went undrafted in the 2024 CFL Draft. At the 2024 CFL Combine, Lavaud made 10 bench presses, ran a 4.8 in the 40-yard dash, 30 in the vertical jump, a broad jump of 9’ 4 5/8”, 7.33 in the 3-cone drill, and a 4.7 in the shuttle drill. The Ottawa Redblacks signed Lavaud on May 16, 2024.
Collegiately, Lavaud played three seasons at Carleton University making 67 tackles (49 solo, 18 assists), three tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions for 37 yards, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one blocked kick in 20 games for the Ravens. In 2023, he was named First Team OUA All-Star and Second Team All-Canadian after finishing the season with 29 tackles (21 solo, 8 assists), two pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick in seven games.
Justin Howell is five foot ten and weighs 199 pounds. The 30-year-old from Bradford, Ontario, was drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks in the seventh round (55th pick) in the 2018 CFL Draft. In five seasons with the Redblacks, Howell has made 99 tackles, 27 tackles on special teams, one sack, and five forced fumbles in 60 games.
In 2023, Howell made 39 tackles and one forced fumble in 13 games for the Redblacks. The Redblacks re-signed Howell to a one-year contract extension on February 6, 2024.
Collegiately, Howell played four seasons at Carleton University (2014-17) with 101 tackles (71 solo, 30 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and six pass breakups in 23 games for the Ravens.
