Jonathan Langa

Jay Langa
Langa with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2019
York Lions
TitleAssistant defensive backs coach
CFL statusNational
Personal information
Born (1990-11-15) November 15, 1990
Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
Listed height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Listed weight214 lb (97 kg)
Career information
PositionDefensive back (No. 7, 30)
UniversitySaint Mary's
CFL draft2015: 3rd round, 20th overall pick
Career history
Playing
20152019Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Coaching
2025–presentYork Lions
(Defensive backs coach)
Awards and highlights
Career CFL statistics
Games played62
Defensive tackles2
Special teams tackles59
Stats at CFL.ca

Jonathan Langa (born November 15, 1990) is a Canadian former professional football defensive back and is the assistant defensive backs coach for the York Lions of U Sports football. He played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL) for five seasons.

University career

Langa played CIS football for the Saint Mary's Huskies at linebacker from 2012 to 2014.[1] He played in 23 games over three seasons where he recorded 125 tackles, 61 assisted tackles, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.[1] In his final year in 2014, Langa led the nation in total tackles with 80 which also set an Atlantic University Sport record.[2] In that season, he also recorded 0.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery as he was named the CIS Defensive Player of the Year.[1][2][3]

Professional career

Langa was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the third round, with the 20th overall pick, of the 2015 CFL draft.[4] He dressed in 16 games in the 2015 season where he had eight special teams tackles. In 2016, he played in just 10 games, but recorded 10 special teams tackles and also made his playoff in the team's East Semi-Final loss to the Edmonton Eskimos.[5]

In the 2017 season, Langa played in all 18 regular season games where he recorded two defensive tackles and a career-high 24 special teams tackles.[5] On January 8, 2018, it was announced that he had re-signed with the Tiger-Cats on a two-year contract extension.[6] He played in 15 regular season games in 2018 where he had 14 special teams tackles and also recorded another two special teams tackles in the team's two playoff games.[5]

Langa spent most of the 2019 season on the injured list as he played in just three games where he had three special teams tackles.[5][7] He was, however, healthy for the post-season and played in both the East Final and the 107th Grey Cup, but did not record any stats in the team's loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He became a free agent when his contract expired on February 11, 2020, but did not sign with another team.[8] Over the course of his five-year career, Langa played in 62 games and recorded two defensive tackles and 59 special teams tackles.

Coaching career

In 2025, Langa joined head coach Dexter Janke of the York Lions to serve as the team's assistant defensive backs coach.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Jonathan Langa". Saint Mary's Huskies. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  2. ^ a b "2014 CIS Football Awards and All-Canadians". U Sports. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  3. ^ "Calgary Dinos quarterback Andrew Buckley wins Hec Crighton Trophy". Penticton Herald. November 27, 2014.
  4. ^ "CFL draft: Ottawa Redblacks take offensive lineman Alex Mateas No. 1". thechronicleherald.ca. Retrieved 2015-09-17.
  5. ^ a b c d "Jay Langa". Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  6. ^ "Ticats extend Canadian DB Jay Langa". 3DownNation. January 8, 2018.
  7. ^ "Transactions – Football Player Trades and Signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  8. ^ "Official 2020 Free Agent Tracker". Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  9. ^ "2025 Football Coaching Staff". York Lions. Retrieved February 20, 2026.