No. 29 Ottawa Redblacks | |
![]() McGhee with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2024 | |
Born: | Warner Robins, Georgia, U.S. | October 13, 1999
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Career information | |
Status | Active |
CFL status | American |
Position(s) | Defensive back |
Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
College | Kentucky Wesleyan (2018–2020) Minnesota State-Mankato (2021–2022) |
High school | Northside (Warner Robins, GA) |
Career history | |
As player | |
2023–present | Ottawa Redblacks |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Career stats | |
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Alijah McGhee (born October 13, 1999) is an American professional football defensive back for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). [1] He played college football at Minnesota State-Mankato and Kentucky Wesleyan. [2] [3]
McGhee played college football for the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers from 2018 to 2020, and the Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks from 2021 to 2022. He played in 25 games at Kentucky Wesleyan where he had 82 tackles and 14 passes defended. [3] In 2021 McGhee transferred to Minnesota State-Mankato where he played in 21 games logging 80 total tackles, two interceptions, 11 passes defended, one fumble recovery and two blocked kicks. [2]
As a senior, McGhee was named D2Football.com Defensive Player of the Week and NSIC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Bemidji State where he scored a 70-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown and a 45-yard pick-six in the first half. [4] [5] He was also named to the All-NSIC Second team. [6]
McGhee was selected in the 2023 XFL rookie draft by the Houston Roughnecks but did not sign with the team. [7]
On August 24, 2023, it was announced that the Ottawa Redblacks had signed McGhee to the practice squad. [8] On October 14, McGhee would be signed to the active roster and make his first game appearance for the Redblacks against the Toronto Argonauts and recorded one tackle. [9] In his next game, the final game of the season against Toronto, he finished with five tackles, one forced fumble and fumble recovery. [10]
McGhee played in 12 games in the 2024 season, starting in all. He began the season on the six-game IR list due to a foot injury. [11] McGhee finished the season with 44 tackles, three interceptions and one forced fumble. [1]
On January 21, 2025, it was announced that McGhee had re-signed to the Redblacks on a one-year contract. [12]