Sentinels mean business going into 2027. They’ve parted ways with initiator cortezia and Reduxx, with both players now unrestricted free agents. The org is moving full-pelt with a largely rebuilt 2027 VALORANT Champions Tour lineup for the new Americas partnership cycle, at the heart of which will be new signing Francis “OXY” Hoang.
CEO Rob Moore confirmed both cortezia and Reduxx were told about their release a week earlier. It gives cortezia time to plan his move back to Brazil, where he’s reportedly already agreed a verbal deal to join LOUD. The shake-up comes in the aftermath of a bad season for Sentinels, who failed to qualify for Masters Santiago, Masters London or Champions Shanghai this year. The org also saw a number of content creators turn their backs on them, while various line-up changes has hindered their efforts.
Revenue was up at least, with Sentinels reporting $6.4 million growth earlier this spring.
What cortezia and Reduxx said on the way out
Cortezia recorded a farewell video from his Los Angeles apartment before flying home. He made clear the call came from Sentinels, not from him, and that he’d wanted at least one more year with the American org. He thanked former head coach kaplan (who left the org in February this year), assistant coach Gunter, his agent Gabe, and Moore.
Reduxx’s exit is a bit of a surprise. Described by many as a “prodigy”, his exit brings to an end a two-year run that took him from Cubert Academy to the VCT main stage. Despite still being only 19, the duellist took responsibility for the team’s results in 2026 and described the stretch as a foundation he’ll personally build on. The org’s send-off, “Tracing his journey from Seattle,” credited him with embodying what a Sentinel should be.
The new core is already in place
Here’s what the 2027 Sentinels roster currently looks like:
| Player | Background | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Francis “OXY” Hoang | Formerly of Cloud9 | Signed |
| Brock “brawk” Somerhalder | Champions 2025 MVP out of NRG | Signed |
| canezerra | Ascension champion | On board |
| Johnqt | IGL, the player who calls the team’s strategy | Joins the new group |
| Keiko | Former NRG player | Expected to fill the fifth spot, not confirmed |
Writer’s take
Thank you @NotReduxx
From the centerpiece of our academy roster to the hero of the main stage, you’ve embodied what it means to be a Sentinel every step of the way
The future is bright, and you’re just getting started https://t.co/0Z7D2CvCwj— Sentinels (@Sentinels) November 10, 2026
Two straight-up league-wide names plus an MVP is a real statement of intent from an org that needs a good year in 2027. Sentinels swapped the whole supporting cast around Johnqt in one window, which is a pretty big bet to place on instant chemistry. Some caution is warranted around canezerra, though; this is his first stint at the top level and he’ll have to find a way to handle the pressure.
Fans seem upbeat, with plenty calling the group a stacked lineup on paper and one of several “superteams” currently shaping the North America VALORANT scene.
What’s next
Sentinels haven’t named an official fifth player, so a Keiko confirmation is the next piece to watch before the 2027 VCT season gets going. cortezia’s move to LOUD also hasn’t been officially announced.
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