Luiji Vilain Bio
Luiji Vilain is a Canadian professional football defensive end currently playing for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Born on March 10, 1998, in Ottawa, Ontario, he has competed at the highest levels of both American and Canadian football. After playing college football for the Michigan Wolverines and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022. Vilain later spent time with several NFL organizations before signing a three-year contract with his hometown Ottawa Redblacks in 2026.
Early Life and Background
Luiji Vilain was born on March 10, 1998, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He later moved with his family to the United States and attended Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, where he played under head coach Panos Voulgaris. As a junior, he posted 60 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery, earning second-team All-USA Virginia honors from USA Today along with first-team All-IAC recognition.
During his senior season, Vilain recorded 45 tackles, eight sacks, and a fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown. His performance brought first-team All-USA honors from USA Today, first-team All-Met recognition from The Washington Post, and another first-team All-IAC selection. He was invited to the Under Armour All-America Game and rated as a PrepStar Top 359 All-American. Scout.com ranked him the top defensive end in Virginia, while ESPN listed him as a four-star prospect, the second-best player in the state, and the 102nd-best recruit nationally.
Path to American Football
Vilain committed to the University of Michigan after graduating from Episcopal High School, joining a program with a strong tradition of developing defensive linemen. In his first two seasons with the Wolverines (2017 and 2018), he did not see game action but earned Academic All-Big Ten Conference honors in 2018. Prior to his junior year, he moved from Toronto to the United States to focus on his development.
As a junior in 2019, Vilain appeared in seven games as a defensive lineman, producing seven tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble, which earned him his first varsity letter. In the 2020 season, he played in five games and recorded four tackles for a second varsity letter. After the 2020 season, Vilain announced his intent to transfer and chose Wake Forest, where he was granted an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Luiji Vilain Career
Early Career at Michigan (2017–2020)
Vilain spent his first four college seasons with the Michigan Wolverines, using his early years to develop physically and adjust to the speed of the Big Ten Conference. Though he did not play during his freshman and sophomore campaigns, his work in practice earned praise from teammates and coaches, including future NFL All-Rookie defensive lineman Kwity Paye, with whom he roomed at Michigan.
When Vilain finally reached the field, he showed flashes of the pass-rushing ability that had made him a top recruit. His junior-year sack and forced fumble against Big Ten competition confirmed his potential, and his senior season gave him another year of valuable rotation experience. The decision to transfer to Wake Forest for a fifth season was driven by the opportunity for a larger role.
Wake Forest Breakthrough (2021)
At Wake Forest in 2021, Vilain delivered his most productive collegiate season, leading the Demon Deacons with 9.0 sacks and adding 10.0 tackles for loss. He was one of only three Wake Forest players to reach double digits in tackles for loss that year and posted a streak of four consecutive games with a sack. His performance helped anchor a Wake Forest defense during one of the program’s most successful stretches in recent memory.
During the same offseason, Vilain was selected in the third round, 25th overall, by the Toronto Argonauts in the 2021 CFL Draft. He chose not to sign with the Argonauts, opting to use his remaining college eligibility at Wake Forest. That decision set the stage for his subsequent entry into the NFL.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2022–2023)
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Vilain signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent. Following a strong training camp and a productive preseason that included a fumble return and an interception, he earned a spot on Minnesota’s final roster. Kwity Paye publicly praised the signing, calling Vilain an extremely gifted athlete who would maximize his opportunity.
Vilain appeared in three games for the Vikings during the 2022 season, recording a total of four tackles. On August 29, 2023, he was waived by Minnesota and signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. He remained on the practice squad until being signed away by another club in October 2023.
Carolina Panthers Era (2023–2024)
On October 24, 2023, the Carolina Panthers signed Vilain off the Vikings practice squad, adding depth to their defensive line. His time in Carolina was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on November 7, 2023. He remained with the Panthers through the offseason before being waived on August 27, 2024.
Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys (2024–2025)
On September 11, 2024, Vilain was signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad and released two weeks later. He joined the Dallas Cowboys practice squad on October 9, 2024, and on January 6, 2025, signed a reserve/future contract with the team. The Cowboys released him on July 22, 2025, opening the door for a return to Canadian football.
Ottawa Redblacks Era (2026–Present)
On April 21, 2026, Vilain’s CFL playing rights were traded from the Toronto Argonauts to the Ottawa Redblacks, fulfilling his stated desire to play in his hometown. On April 27, 2026, the Redblacks announced that he had signed a three-year contract with the team. The move brought the Ottawa native back to Canadian football as a national player.
Driving Style and Strengths
Vilain is listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 255 pounds, giving him the frame of a prototypical NFL edge rusher with the length to hold up against the run. His college production at Wake Forest, where he led the team in sacks, highlighted his first-step quickness and ability to finish plays in the backfield. Coaches have consistently pointed to his athletic upside and work ethic as traits that allow him to compete at multiple professional levels.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Vilain’s professional career came during the 2022 preseason with the Minnesota Vikings, when his fumble return and interception helped him secure a roster spot as an undrafted free agent. His selection in the third round of the 2021 CFL Draft by the Toronto Argonauts further underscored his evaluation as a top-flight prospect. Returning to Ottawa in 2026 on a three-year deal represented a full-circle milestone in his career.
Luiji Vilain Career Wins
While detailed NFL win totals by season are not fully verified in available sources, Vilain’s professional résumé reflects a steady progression through top-level programs on both sides of the border. His college highlight remains his 2021 sack title at Wake Forest, and his professional milestones include making the Minnesota Vikings’ final roster in 2022 and signing a three-year CFL contract in 2026.
College and Professional Highlights
At Michigan, Vilain’s most notable achievement was earning Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2018 before contributing as a rotational defender in 2019 and 2020. At Wake Forest in 2021, he led the team in sacks and tackles for loss, capping his college career with his most consistent stretch of play. In the NFL, he appeared in regular-season games for the Vikings and spent time on the active and practice squads of the Panthers, Browns, and Cowboys.
Other Performances
Beyond the headline statistics, Vilain produced standout high school numbers, including 8.0 sacks as a senior at Episcopal, and an Under Armour All-America Game invitation. His preseason work with the Vikings in 2022, highlighted by a fumble return and an interception, stands as one of his most complete professional performances to date.
Luiji Vilain Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Luiji Vilain was born in Ottawa, Ontario, and raised in part in Toronto before moving to the United States to pursue his football career. Publicly available information about his parents and siblings is limited, and additional family details have not been widely reported.
Personal Life
Beyond his connection to Ottawa and Toronto, Vilain has kept his personal life largely private. His decision to sign with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2026 was driven in part by a desire to return to his hometown and play in front of family and friends. No verified information about a spouse or children is publicly available at this time.
2025 Season Performance
Vilain’s 2025 season began with a reserve/future contract signed with the Dallas Cowboys in January 2025, following a stint on the team’s practice squad in late 2024. He participated in the Cowboys’ offseason program as he competed for a defensive end role in training camp. On July 22, 2025, the Cowboys released him, ending his time in Dallas and leaving him as a free agent heading into the rest of the year.
After his release, Vilain’s path back to the NFL remained open, while his existing CFL rights continued to be held by the Toronto Argonauts from the 2021 draft. The year was defined by transition, as he worked to secure a new professional opportunity and stay ready for the next chance to contribute on the field.
Looking ahead, Vilain’s 2025 campaign ultimately set the stage for his April 2026 return to Canadian football with the Ottawa Redblacks on a three-year contract. His combination of NFL practice-squad experience and prior CFL draft status made him a strong fit for a roster that valued both his athletic upside and his national designation. The move marked a fresh start in his hometown after several seasons navigating the uncertainty of professional football in the United States.