THE CANADIAN PRESS
OTTAWA — The Ottawa REDBLACKS have signed national defensive tackle Cleyon Laing.
Laing, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound Edmonton native could potentially make an immediate impact on the East-leading REDBLACKS after spending most of the 2016 season as a member of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
While Laing was rumoured to be weighing his options after being waived by the Dolphins on Oct. 31, Ottawa Sun reporter Tim Baines tweeted first tweeted the news on Wednesday morning, adding that the 25-year-old could suit up as soon as Friday night in Ottawa’s season finale vs. Winnipeg.
Baines has since confirmed that Laing will play on Friday while the REDBLACKS confirmed the signing on Thursday.
Laing’s contract is believed to be for the remainder of the 2016 season, Baines added, which would make him a free agent come February.
The fifth-ranked free agent on CFL.ca’s top 30 list last February, Laing recorded eight sacks in 16 games for the Argos in 2015 to go with 40 tackles and two forced fumbles.
He was the ninth overall pick in 2012 for the Argos, spending one more season with Iowa State University before commencing his CFL career. In three seasons, Laing recorded 15 sacks as a member of the Argonauts.
