Ottawa Redblacks
The Ottawa Redblacks signed quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams and defensive lineman Jessie Evans to the practice squad on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, according to the CFL Transactions page.
Hajj-Malik Williams is six foot one and weighs 205 pounds. The 25-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, attended the Las Vegas Raiders rookie minicamp in 2025.
Collegiately, Williams played five seasons at Campbell University (2019-23) completing 662 of 1,072 passes (62%) for 8,236 yards, 58 touchdowns, 28 interceptions, 417 carries for 1,600 yards, 24 rushing touchdowns, three catches for 73 yards, three touchdowns, and five tackles (5 solos) in 41 games for the Fighting Camels.
Williams was named First Team FCS Freshman All-American by HERO Sports, Big South’s Offensive Freshman of the Year, Big South Freshman of the Year by Phil Steele, and Third Team All-Big South by Phil Steele.
Then, he transferred to UNLV in 2024 completing 150 of 252 passes (60%) for 1,941 yards, 19 touchdowns, five interceptions, 161 carries for 851 yards, nine rushing touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 13 games for the Rebels. He was named Second Team All-Mountain West.
Jessie Evans is six foot three and weighs 260 pounds. The 23-year-old from Houston, Texas, played three seasons at Prairie View A&M (2020-22) with 110 tackles (42 solos, 68 assists), 23 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 24 games for the Panthers.
Then, he transferred to Louisiana Tech (2023-24) with 72 tackles (35 solos, 37 assists), 12.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and one pass breakup in 25 games for the Bulldogs.
In 2024, he made 40 tackles (17 solos, 23 assists), six tackles for loss, and three sacks in 13 games. He was named an All-Conference USA Honorable Mention by College Football Network, Fourth Team All-CUSA by Phil Steele, and Third Team All-CUSA by Phil Steele.