Pirates Add Two to Defense

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LOWELL, MA – The Massachusetts Pirates have signed Dexter Lawson Jr., a veteran defensive back from the Canadian Football League. Lawson Jr., who was born in Bloomfield, CT, played collegiately at Central Connecticut State and Appalachian State before beginning his professional career.

Lawson Jr. signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2023 and appeared in nine games, making eight starts. He registered 29 tackles and one more on special teams. He also had one interception.

Last season, he played in four more contests, making 16 defensive tackles and one on special teams. His top performance was in the season opener against Calgary, where he made six tackles. This season, he was in camp with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers until June.

The 5’10”, 190 lb. DB began his collegiate career at Central Connecticut State, where he played from 2018 through 2021. Over four seasons in 29 games, he had 74 tackles, including six for a loss. He also had 1.5 sacks, eight interceptions, broke up 13 passes, and forced one fumble.

In his sophomore season of 2019, he was named a Hero Sports First-Team Sophomore All-American as he posted 31 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss with one sack, and six interceptions. He also broke up five more passes and forced a fumble in 13 games. He was also an All-Northeast Conference Second Team selection.

In 2022, Lawson Jr. Transferred to Appalachian State. In one season with the Mountaineers, he played in all 12 games and made 10 starts. He finished the year with 26 total tackles, with one for a loss. He led the team with three interceptions and broke up eight passes, and forced one fumble.

The Pirates have also signed Latavious Brini. Brini, who can play both defensive back and linebacker, has NFL and CFL experience.

After a collegiate career playing at the University of Georgia and Arkansas, Brini went to the rookie minicamp with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023 as an undrafted free agent. He earned a contract and went to training camp. He appeared in three preseason games, making four tackles with one assist.

After his release, the Miami Gardens, FL native signed with the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League in January of 2024. The following May, Brini joined the Montreal Alouettes and appeared in two preseason games, making four tackles. His efforts earned him a spot on the practice squad. In February of this year, the 6’2′, 215 lb. defender landed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and remained with them until June.

Brini began his collegiate career with the Georgia Bulldogs. He arrived in Athens in 2018 and played in five games in each of his first two seasons. In 2020, he took the field in seven contests, including a five-tackle performance vs. Cincinnati in the Peach Bowl, where he also broke up a pass. His signature season was in 2021 as he started 11 of 13 games, making 38 tackles with 2.5 for a loss while defending eight passes. In 30 games with the Dawgs, Brini made 50 tackles with six for a loss with one interception, and 10 passes defended.

In 2022, he entered the transfer portal and played his final season at Arkansas. In 13 games, he started nine times, making 55 tackles with four tackles for a loss. He added one forced fumble, recovered two more, broke up a pass, and had one interception.

The Massachusetts Pirates announce the following transactions.

Signed DB/LB Latavious Brini, 6’2″, 215 lbs. Georgia/Arkansas

Signed DB Dexter Lawson Jr., 5’10”, 190 lbs. Central Conn. St./Appalachian St.

Released DB Matt Elam, 5’10”, 190 lbs, Florida

Placed DB Marcis Floyd, 6’0″, 200 lbs. West Virginia on Short Term Injured Reserve

Activated DB Tye Smith, 6’1″, 200 lbs. Towson from Short Term Injured Reserve

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