The Toronto Argonauts released defensive backs Leonard Johnson and Mason Pierce on Saturday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Leonard Johnson is six foot and weighs 194 pounds. The 26-year-old from Hayden, Alabama, tore his ACL in 2022 as he was preparing for the 2022 NFL Draft. He signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent on March 25, 2023, but was released on July 25, 2023. The Toronto Argonauts signed Johnson on December 29, 2023. In 2024, Johnson made 24 tackles in four games.
Collegiately, Johnson played four seasons at Duke (2018-21) with 165 tackles (118 solo, 47 assists), 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, six interceptions, one touchdown, 24 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 47 games for the Blue Devils. In the 2018 Walk-On’s Independence Bowl against Temple, Johnson made six tackles as the Blue Devils blew out the Owls 56-27.
Mason Pierce is five foot ten and weighs 185 pounds. The 25-year-old from Bulverde, Texas, made 29 tackles and one sack in 8 games for the Toronto Argonauts in 2024. The Toronto Argonauts signed Pierce on May 8, 2023. In 2023, Pierce made 32 tackles, one tackle on special teams, one sack, three interceptions, one forced fumble, and one touchdown in 9 games.
Collegiately, Pierce played four seasons at the Colorado School of Mines (2018-19, 2021-22) making 180 tackles (121 solo, 59 assists), 5 tackles for loss, half a sack, 6 interceptions for 86 yards, two touchdowns, 53 pass breakups, and 40 punt returns for 638 yards in 49 games for the Orediggers. He was named a two-time First Team NFFCC All-Colorado, two-time First Team All-RMAC, two-time Don Hansen Honorable Mention All-America, and named the team’s Newcomer of the Year.
