The Ottawa Redblacks and defensive lineman Michael Wakefield agreed to a one-year contract extension through the 2025 season on Wednesday. Wakefield was scheduled to be a free agent next month.
Michael Wakefield is six foot three and weighs 268 pounds. The 30-year-old from Valdosta, Georgia, made 30 tackles, eight sacks, and three forced fumbles in 18 games for the Redblacks in 2024. His eight sacks was a career-high and he finished tied for first in that category with Lorenzo Maulden.
The Washington Redskins signed Wakefield as an undrafted free agent on May 16, 2016. In 2016, Wakefield made three tackles (3 solos) and two sacks in four preseason games. The Redskins released him on September 3, 2016.
Then, he signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on October 18, 2016. He played three seasons in Ottawa making 54 tackles, one tackle on special teams, seven sacks, and one interception in 39 games.
On February 9, 2021, Wakefield signed with the Montreal Alouettes. He played two seasons in Montreal with 43 tackles, one tackle on special teams, and seven sacks in 27 games. The Ottawa Redblacks signed Wakefield as a free agent on February 14, 2023. In 2023, he made 35 tackles and six sacks in 18 games.
Collegiately, Wakefield played four seasons at Florida International University (2012-15) with 118 tackles (75 solos, 43 assists), 35.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries in 45 games for the Panthers.
He ranked third all-time at FIU in career sacks (17.5), career tackles for loss (35.5), career tackles for loss yardage (149), and career sack yardage (105). Wakefield is also FIU’s all-time leader in career fumbles forced (8). In addition, he was named First Team All-C-USA in 2015.
