The Ottawa Redblacks signed defensive backs Dishon McNary, Kalon Gervin, and Jordan Jones on Monday. The Redblacks also released defensive backs Jaquan Amos, D.J. Stirgus, Dillon Thomas, and wide receiver Mike Harley Jr.
Dishon McNary is six foot and weighs 196 pounds. The 26-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, attended rookie minicamps with both the Chicago Bears and New York Giants before attending training camp for the Calgary Stampeders in 2023.
The Montreal Alouettes signed McNary on September 5, 2023. He made one tackle on special teams in four games for the Alouettes in 2023 when Montreal went on to win the 110th Grey Cup over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Alouettes released McNary on May 15, 2024.
Collegiately, McNary played two seasons at Independence Community College (2017-18) in Independence, Kansas, with 28 tackles, two sacks, ten pass breakups, and one block on special teams in 13 games for the Pirates.
Then, McNary transferred to Central Michigan (2019-21) with 47 tackles, one interception, ten pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 11 games for the Chippewas. In 2020, he was named first-team All-MAC by Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele’s All-MAC fourth team after making 26 tackles, one interception, six pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in six games.
Kalon Gervin is five foot eleven and weighs 195 pounds. The 24-year-old from Detroit, Michigan, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and attended the Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp.
Collegiately, Gervin played four seasons at Michigan State (2018-21) making 44 tackles (35 solo, 9 assists), four pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 22 games for the Spartans. Then, Gervin transferred to Kansas (2022-23) making 35 tackles (28 solo, 7 assists), one tackle for loss, and eight pass breakups in 26 games for the Jayhawks.
Jordan Jones is six foot one and weighs 180 pounds. The 24-year-old from Brooklyn, New York, signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He played three preseason games with 13 tackles (9 solo, 4 assists). The Toronto Argonauts signed Jones as a free agent on December 4, 2023.
Collegiately, Jones played two seasons at Nassau Community College (2017-18) with 54 tackles (47 solo, 7 assists) and 11 interceptions for 89 yards in 22 games for the Lions. He was named Junior College All-American in 2017.
Then, Jones transferred to Rhode Island (2019-22) with 81 tackles (59 solo, 22 assists), 1 sack, 9 interceptions for 194 yards, and 2 touchdowns in 29 games for the Rams. He was a First Team All-CAA in 2022.
Jaquan Amos is six foot and weighs 195 pounds. The 25-year-old from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, made two tackles (2 solo) in one preseason game for the Baltimore Ravens against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. The Ravens signed Amos as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2023. Amos also worked out for the New England Patriots in 2024. The Ottawa Redbacks signed Amos on April 8, 2024.
Collegiately, Amos played three seasons at Villanova (2017-19) with 148 tackles (109 solo, 39 assists), six tackles for loss, half a sack, eight interceptions for 142 yards, three touchdowns, 25 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 33 games for the Wildcats. He was named a preseason CAA Honorable Mention.
Next, Amos transferred to Iowa State in 2021 with two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) in three games for the Cyclones. Then, he transferred to Ball State in 2022 with 95 tackles (61 solo, 34 assists), 6.5 tackles for loss, half a sack, one interception for 31 yards, and six pass breakups in 12 games for the Cardinals.
Amos went to Northeast High School where he was a First Team All-State, two-time First Team All-City, two-time All-Public League, Northeast Times Player of the Year, and Team MVP.
D.J. Stirgus is six foot one and weighs 202 pounds. The 23-year-old from Benton, Arkansas, made one tackle (1 solo) and one pass breakup in three preseason games for the Washington Commanders in 2023. The Commanders signed Stirgus as an undrafted free agent in 2023. The Redblacks signed Stirgus on February 9, 2024.
Collegiately, Stirgus played five seasons at Missouri Western State University (2018-22) with 81 tackles (57 solo, 24 assists), four tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions for 17 yards, 30 pass breakups which is eighth all-time in school history, and one blocked punt in 42 games for the Griffins. He was named First Team All-MIAA in 2022.
Dillon Thomas is six foot two and weighs 189 pounds. The 24-year-old from Kansas City, Missouri, was with the San Antonio Brahmas (UFL) after being drafted by them in the 2023 XFL Rookie Draft. In addition, he attended a rookie minicamp with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Redblacks signed Thomas on February 20, 2024.
Collegiately, Thomas played four seasons at Northern Illinois (2018-21) making 122 tackles (79 solo, 43 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 44 games for the Huskies.
Next, Thomas transferred to Missouri State in 2022 making 56 tackles (32 solo, 24 assists) two tackles for loss, one sack, and five pass breakups in 11 games for the Bears.
Mike Harley Jr. is five foot ten and weighs 180 pounds. The 26-year-old from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, made 7 catches for 75 yards, one touchdown, and one punt return for one yard in four preseason games for the Cleveland Browns in 2023.
The Browns signed Harley Jr. as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and spent the season on the practice squad. Then, Harley Jr. signed with the D.C. Defenders (UFL) on March 4, 2024, but was released on March 10, 2024. The Redblacks signed Harley Jr. on May 11, 2024.
Collegiately, Harley Jr. played five seasons at Miami (FL) (2017-21) making 182 catches for 2,158 yards, 15 touchdowns, 7 carries for 36 yards, 12 kick returns for 144 yards, and three punt returns for -4 yards in 60 games for the Hurricanes. He concluded his Miami career as the team’s all-time leader in receptions (182) passing Reggie Wayne.
