RedBlacks Select a Pair of Specialists in 2026 Global Draft
Published on April 29, 2026 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Ottawa RedBlacks News Release
OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS selected a pair of specialists in Wednesday's 2026 CFL Global Draft, including South African Aidan Laros from the University of Kentucky and Paul Geelen from the Netherlands and Southern Illinois University.
Laros, a native of Cape Town, South Africa, signed with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent after finishing his collegiate career at the University of Kentucky (2024-25), where he played 24 games over two seasons. With the Wildcats, he posted 82 punts for 3,679 yards for an average of 44.86 yards per punt. Before his time at Kentucky, he spent time at UT Martin and the University of Charlotte.
Geelen, who hails from Utrecht, the Netherlands, will attend minicamp with the NFL's Denver Broncos. Geelen played 24 games over two seasons at Southern Illinois University (2024-25), where he posted 90 punts for 3,803 yards for an average of 42.3 yards per punt and a long of 65 yards. Geelen also handled the placekicking duties, converting 25 of 32 field goals (78.13%) with a long of 53 yards. He began his collegiate career William Jewell College before transferring to Southern Illinois.
Canadian Football League Stories from April 29, 2026
- Stampeders Launch Updated Home and Away Uniforms - Calgary Stampeders
- Alouettes Select a German and an Australian - Montreal Alouettes
- Riders Sign Towering Offensive Lineman Percy Lewis IV - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Riders Select Linebacker, Kicker in 2026 Global Draft - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- RedBlacks Sign 2026 First Overall Pick Giordano Vaccaro - Ottawa RedBlacks
- Edmonton Elks Select Two in the 2026 CFL Global Draft - Edmonton Elks
- Ottawa Selects Aidan Laros First Overall in 2026 CFL Global Draft - CFL
- RedBlacks Select a Pair of Specialists in 2026 Global Draft - Ottawa RedBlacks
- Toronto Argonauts 2026 CFL Global Draft Class - Toronto Argonauts
- Tiger-Cats Select Two Punters in 2026 CFL Global Draft - Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Red and White Select Two in 2026 CFL Global Draft - Calgary Stampeders
- Elks Announce 2026 Game Themes, Single Game Ticket On-Sale Date - Edmonton Elks
- Lions Select National Champion Punter & Dolphins Prospect in Wednesday's Global Draft - B.C. Lions
- Boatmen Ink DL Malachi Bailey - Toronto Argonauts
- RedBlacks 2026 Single Game Tickets on Sale Now - Ottawa RedBlacks
- Tiger-Cats Add Eight Players in 2026 CFL Draft, Headlined by OL Jonathan Denis - Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Riders Select Eight Talented Canadians in 2026 CFL Draft - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Alouettes Select Montrealer Rohan Jones with Their First Pick - Montreal Alouettes
- RedBlacks Select Seven Players in 2026 CFL Canadian Draft - Ottawa RedBlacks
- Edmonton Elks Select Nine in the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft - Edmonton Elks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
