The Ottawa Redblacks signed defensive back Derrek Pitts Jr. and placed wide receiver Kahtero Summers on the retired list on Thursday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Derrek Pitts Jr. is six foot and weighs 177 pounds. The 26-year-old from Baltimore, Maryland, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. In 2023, he made six tackles (3 solos, 3 assists) in three preseason games. In the regular season, Pitts Jr. made two tackles (2 solos) in four games. He became a free agent after the 2023 season.
Collegiately, Pitts Jr. played two seasons at West Virginia (2017-18) making 36 tackles (29 solos, 7 assists), five tackles for loss, one sack, one interception for two yards, one touchdown, five pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 18 games for the Mountaineers.
Next, he transferred to Marshall (2019-20) making 46 tackles (20 solos, 26 assists), two tackles for loss, and three pass breakups in 12 games for the Thundering Herd. Then, he transferred to N.C. State (2021-22) making 94 tackles (67 solos, 27 assists), 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and 14 pass breakups in 25 games for the Wolfpack.
Kahtero Summers is six foot three and weighs 213 pounds. The 24-year-old from Coatesville, Pennsylvania, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Ottawa Redblacks signed Summers to a future contract on September 16, 2024. Ottawa officially signed him Summers on December 19, 2024.
Collegiately, Summers played two seasons at Saint Francis University (2019, 2021) making 58 catches for 863 yards, 9 touchdowns, three carries for 17 yards, and one kick return for 10 yards in 21 games for the Red Flash. He was named Second Team All-NEC and the HERO Sports Sophomore All-American in 2021.
Then, Summers transferred to Rhode Island (2022-23) making 98 catches for 1,702 yards, 12 touchdowns, and three tackles (3 solo) in 22 games for the Rams. In 2023, Summers made 56 catches for 1,027 yards, six touchdowns, and two tackles (2 solo) in 11 games.
He was named First Team All-CAA, First Team All-CAA by Phil Steele, and the New England Football Writers Association All-New England Team in 2023.
