The Hamilton Tiger-Cats released 12 players to begin training camp on Sunday. They are quarterbacks Taulia Tagovailoa and Tyler Huff, wide receiver Trea Shropshire, offensive linemen Bryson Broadway and Grant Starck, defensive linemen Tramel Walthour and Reece Martin, linebackers Justin Whiteside and Chris Russell Jr., and defensive backs Josh DeBerry, Eric Haney, and Darren Evans.
Taulia Tagovailoa is five foot eleven and weighs 200 pounds. The 25-year-old from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 10, 2024. In 2024, Tagovailoa completed one pass for six yards, three carries for 10 yards, and one touchdown in eight games.
Tagovailoa went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and attended the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals rookie minicamps in 2024.
Collegiately, Tagovailoa played one season at Alabama in 2019 completing 9 of 12 passes (75%) for 100 yards, one touchdown, and one carry for -2 yards in five games for the Crimson Tide.
Then, Tagovailoa transferred to the University of Maryland (2020-23) completing 955 of 1,424 passes (67.1%) for 11,256 yards, 76 touchdowns, 37 interceptions, 261 carries for 207 yards, 13 touchdowns, one catch for 21 yards, and two tackles (2 solo) in 41 games for the Terrapins.
In 2023, Tagovailoa completed 290 of 437 passes (66%) for 3,377 yards, 25 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 68 carries for 18 yards, five touchdowns, and one tackle in 12 games leading Maryland to an appearance in the 2023 TransPerfect Music City Bowl but did not play as Maryland beat Auburn 31-13. Tagovailoa was named the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, Second Team All-Big Ten, and a Finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2023.
Tagovailoa was named a two-time Second Team All-Big Ten (2022-23). In the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl against Virginia Tech, Tagovailoa completed 20 of 24 passes (83%) for 265 yards, two touchdowns, and four carries for 42 yards leading the Terrapins to a 52-10 win over the Hokies and was named the Pinstripe Bowl MVP.
Tagovailoa ended his Maryland career as the Big Ten’s All-Time Passing Leader (11,256), Single Season Passing Yards (3,860 in 2021), Single Season Completions (328 in 2021), Career Completions (955), Career Completion Percentage (67.1%), Single Season Completion Percentage (69.2% in 2021), Career Passing Touchdowns (76), Single Season Touchdowns (26 in 2021, Tied with Scott Milanovich (1993), Career 300-Yard Passing Games (15), Single Season 300-Yard Passing Games (7 in 2021), and Career Total Offense (11,473).
Tyler Huff is six foot one and weighs 215 pounds. The 24-year-old from Orange Park, Florida, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on May 2, 2025.
Collegiately, Huff played three seasons at Presbyterian College (2019-21) completing 232 of 376 passes (62%) for 2,560 yards, 21 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 159 carries for 516 yards, nine rushing touchdowns, two catches for 11 yards, one receiving touchdown, and one tackle (1 solo) in 22 games for the Blue Hose. He was named Second Team All-PFL in 2021.
Next, Huff transferred to Furman (2022-23) completing 383 of 593 passes (65%) for 4,068 yards, 25 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 210 carries for 1,285 yards, and 14 touchdowns in 23 games for the Paladins. He was named a Team Co-Captain in 2023.
Then, he transferred to Jacksonville State in 2024 completing 157 of 259 passes (61%) for 2,179 yards, 13 touchdowns, six interceptions, 215 carries for 1,343 yards, and 14 rushing touchdowns in 13 games for the Gamecocks. Huff was named First Team All-CUSA, Conference USA Player of the Year, Conference USA Newcomer of the Year, and Conference USA Championship MVP.
Trea Shropshire is six foot three and weighs 195 pounds. The 24-year-old from Zachary, Louisiana, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on December 16, 2024.
Shropshire attended rookie minicamps with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings in 2023. The Memphis Showboats drafted Shropshire in the eighth round (59th pick) in the 2023 USFL College Draft and the D.C. Defenders in the 2023 XFL Rookie Draft.
Shropshire chose to sign with the D.C. Defenders but was released on March 10, 2024. The Toronto Argonauts signed Shropshire on March 19, 2024. In 2024, he made one catch for 10 yards in two preseason games. The Argonauts released him on June 2, 2024.
Collegiately, Shropshire played three seasons at the University of Alabama-Birmingham (2020-22) making 72 catches for 1,548 yards, 11 touchdowns, one carry for -2 yards, and two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) in 31 games for the Blazers.
In 2022, Shropshire was the team’s leading receiver making 35 catches for 730 yards, and five touchdowns in 11 games. He was named a two-time All-C-USA Honorable Mention.
Bryson Broadway is six foot five and weighs 290 pounds. The 22-year-old from Dawsonville, Georgia, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on March 26, 2025.
Collegiately, Broadway played two seasons at Eastern Illinois University (2020-21) playing right tackle and left tackle in 16 games for the Panthers. In 2021, Eastern Illinois averaged 13.90 points per game, 89.1 rushing yards per game, 187.20 passing yards per game, 276.3 total yards per game, 17 touchdowns, and allowed 23 sacks finishing 1-10 for the season.
Next, he transferred to Georgia State in 2022 playing 11 games for the Panthers. In 2022. Georgia State averaged 30 points per game, 213.5 rushing yards per game, 203.58 passing yards per game, 417.1 total yards per game, 47 touchdowns, and allowed 34 sacks finishing 4-8 for the season.
Then, he transferred to Georgia Southern (2023-24) playing right tackle in 23 games for the Eagles. In 2024, Georgia Southern averaged 28 points per game, 127.6 rushing yards per game, 237.77 passing yards per game, 365.4 total yards per game, 46 touchdowns, and allowed 29 finishing 8-5 for the season appearing in the New Orleans Bowl against Sam Houston State. Broadway was named Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference and First Team All-Sun Belt Conference by Phil Steele.
Grant Starck is six foot four and weighs 288 pounds. The 23-year-old from Springfield, Oregon, Starck went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Starck on April 29, 2025.
Collegiately, Strack played three seasons at Nevada (2020-22) playing left tackle in 22 games for the Wolf Pack. In 2022, Nevada averaged 18.83 points per game, 119.1 rushing yards per game, 185.42 passing yards per game, 304.5 total yards per game, 27 touchdowns, and allowed 18 sacks finishing 2-10 for the season.
Then, Strack transferred to Oregon State (2023-24) playing 1,311 snaps in 24 games on the offensive line. In 2024, Strack played 898 snaps in 12 games. Oregon State averaged 24.25 points per game, 189.2 rushing yards per game, 201.42 passing yards per game, 390.6 total yards per game, 37 touchdowns, and allowed 25 sacks finishing 5-7 for the season.
Tramel Walthour is six foot three and weighs 273 pounds. The 24-year-old from Hinesville, Georgia, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on April 7, 2025.
The Baltimore Ravens signed Walthour as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024. In 2024, Walthour made seven tackles (2 solos, 5 assists), and a half sack in three preseason games. The Ravens released him on August 26, 2024.
Collegiately, Walthour played one season at Hutchinson Community College in 2018 making 16 tackles (9 solos, 7 assists), one tackle for loss, and one sack in 10 games for the Blue Dragons. He helped the Blue Dragons finish the season 9-3, beating Navarro College in the Salt City Bowl.
Then, he transferred to the University of Georgia (2020-23) making 50 tackles (28 solos, 22 assists), 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and two pass breakups in 53 games for the Bulldogs. In 2023, he made 11 tackles (8 solos, 3 assists), one tackle for loss, and one sack in 14 games. He is a two-time CFP National champion.
Reece Martin is six foot five and weighs 285 pounds. The 24-year-old from Moncton, New Brunswick, re-signed with the Ticats on December 6, 2024.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the fourth round (31st pick) of the 2023 CFL Draft. In 2023, he made two tackles in two preseason games.
The Ticats released him on August 14, 2023, and he returned to Mount Allison for his final collegiate season. In 2024, Martin made five tackles in two preseason games. He appeared in three regular season games recording no stats. The Ticats released him on October 26, 2024.
Martin played four seasons at Mount Allison (2018-19, 2021-24) making 115 tackles (63 solos, 52 assists), 24 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and six pass breakups in 37 games for the Mounties.
In 2023, he made 30 tackles (13 solos, 17 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery in eight games. He is a three-time Hardy Trophy winner (2018, 2021-22). In 2022, Martin made 25 tackles (19 solos, 12 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and two pass breakups in eight games for the Mounties.
Justin Whiteside is six foot and weighs 220 pounds. The 24-year-old from Flossmoor, Illinois, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on April 15, 2025.
Collegiately, Whiteside played five seasons at Central Michigan (2020-24) making 214 tackles (117 solos, 97 assists), 23.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one interception for 11 yards, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one kick return for -6 yards, and one catch for 23 yards in 55 games for the Chippewas.
In 2024, he made 58 tackles (28 solos, 30 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, one pass breakup, and one catch for 23 yards in 12 games. He was named Academic All-MAC. He was named a two-time Academic All-MAC (2023-24).
Chris Russell Jr. is six foot one and weighs 235 pounds. The 23-year-old from Dyersburg, Tennessee, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on April 1, 2025.
The Green Bay Packers signed Russell Jr. as an undrafted free agent on August 14, 2024. In 2024, he made eight tackles (6 solos, 2 assists) in two preseason games. The Packers released him on October 29, 2024.
The Memphis Showboats signed Russell Jr. on January 20, 2025. He attended training camp before Memphis released him on March 20, 2025.
Collegiately, Russell Jr. played five seasons at Texas A&M (2019-23) making 112 tackles (59 solos, 53 assists), 10 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, one interception for 16 yards, one touchdown, three pass breakups, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, one blocked kick, one punt return for 16 yards, and one touchdown in 58 games for the Aggies.
Josh DeBerry is five foot eleven and weighs 184 pounds. The 23-year-old from Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on January 7, 2025.
The Dallas Cowboys signed DeBerry as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. In 2024, he made eight tackles (5 solos, 3 assists) and one pass breakup in three preseason games. The Cowboys released him on August 26, 2024.
Collegiately, DeBerry played four seasons at Boston College (2019-22) making 158 tackles (116 solos, 42 assists), 14 tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions for -7 yards, 19 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 39 games for the Eagles. He was named Second Team All-ACC in 2021.
Then, he transferred to Texas A&M in 2023 making 39 tackles (31 solos, 8 assists), 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions for 16 yards, and nine pass breakups in 10 games for the Aggies.
Eric Haney is five foot ten and weighs 180 pounds. The 23-year-old from Peoria, Arizona, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on May 2, 2025.
Collegiately, Haney played five seasons at the University of San Diego (2020-24) making 147 tackles (105 solos, 42 assists), 14 tackles for loss, two sacks, five interceptions for 85 yards, two touchdowns, 20 pass breakups, 19 kick returns for 115 yards, 22 kick returns for 510 yards in 42 games for the Toreros.
In 2024, he made 63 tackles (44 solos, 19 assists), four tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions for 46 yards, one touchdown, 10 pass breakups, four kick returns for 99 yards, and 13 punt returns for 85 yards in 11 games. He was named Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-PFL. He was named a two-time First Team All-PFL and a two-time All-PFL Honorable Mention.
Darren Evans is six foot three and weighs 174 pounds. The 27-year-old from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on January 20, 2025.
The New York Giants signed Evans as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. In 2022, he made 11 tackles (10 solos, 1 assist), and two pass breakups in three preseason games. The Giants released him on September 1, 2022. The Las Vegas Raiders signed Evans to the practice squad on September 27, 2022. Las Vegas released him on October 11, 2022.
The Arlington Renegades drafted Evans in the ninth round (64th pick) in the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft. In 2023, he made five tackles (4 solos, 1 assist), and one interception for -7 yards in 10 games. In the XFL playoffs, he made eight tackles (7 solos, 1 assist) in two games helping the Renegades win the XFL Championship over the D.C. Defenders. In 2024, he made 20 tackles (17 solos, 3 assists), one interception, and two pass breakups in eight games. The Renegades released him on July 18, 2023.
The New York Giants re-signed Evans on July 19, 2023. In 2023, he made 10 tackles (6 solos, 4 assists), and one pass breakup in three preseason games. The Giants released him on August 27, 2023.
Collegiately, Evans played four seasons at Nicholls State (2016-19) making 100 tackles (71 solos, 29 assists), three tackles for loss, four interceptions for five yards, 31 pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries in 38 games for the Colonels. He was named Second Team All-Southland Conference and helped the Colonels win two Southland Conference championships.
Then, he transferred to LSU (2020-21) making 33 tackles (25 solos, 8 assists), and four pass breakups in 22 games for the Tigers.
