The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed offensive lineman Felix Despins on Wednesday.
Felix Despins is six foot three and weighs 313 pounds. A native of Varennes, Quebec, Despins played at Concordia University playing left tackle and guard for the Stingers.
In 2024, Concordia averaged 16.5 points per game, 100.6 rushing yards per game, 215.2 passing yards per game, 288.5 total yards per game, 11 touchdowns, and allowed 23 sacks finishing 2-6 for the season. He also played football at Cégep Édouard-Montpetit.
Hamilton also released the following players. Running back Spencer Brown, wide receivers Brevin Easton, Cephus Johnson, and Griffin Hebert, offensive lineman Dayton Black, defensive linemen Maalik Hall and Marcel Walker-Burgess, linebacker Mitchell Townsend, and defensive backs D.J. Daniel, Tyler Boatwright, and Gaddiel Kazadi.
Spencer Brown is six foot and weighs 220 pounds. The 26-year-old from Warrior, Alabama, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on January 15, 2025.
The Carolina Panthers signed Brown as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2021. He played two seasons in Carolina with nine carries for 43 yards, and two catches for 10 yards in six games. The Panthers released him on May 15, 2024.
The Atlanta Falcons signed Brown on August 11, 2024. In 2024, he had 15 carries for 77 yards in two preseason games. The Falcons released him on August 27, 2024.
Collegiately, Brown played four seasons at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (2017-20) with 858 carries for 4,011 yards, 41 touchdowns, 20 catches for 113 yards, one touchdown, and three tackles (2 solos, 1 assist) in 20 games for the Blazers. He was named First Team All-CUSA in 2018.
Brown’s career in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, touchdowns, and 19 100-yard rushing games are all school records. He is the only player in Conference USA history to be named Championship Game MVP twice (2018, 2020). In addition, he ranks 11th in Conference USA history for career rushing yards and 10th for career rushing touchdowns
Brevin Easton is five foot ten and weighs 187 pounds. The 24-year-old from Severn, Maryland, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on January 9, 2025.
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Easton as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. In 2024, Easton made three catches for 38 yards and one touchdown in two preseason games. The Jaguars released him on August 20, 2024.
Collegiately, Easton played two seasons at Assumption University (2019, 2021) making 55 catches for 1,100 yards, 12 touchdowns, two carries for -11 yards, three kick returns for 53 yards, and two tackles (2 solos) in 20 games for the Greyhounds. He was named to the NEC All-Conference Rookie Team in 2019.
Then, he transferred to the University of Albany (2022-23) making 78 catches for 1,322 yards, 14 touchdowns, three carries for 16 yards, three kick returns for 41 yards, one punt return for -1 yard, and three tackles (3 solos) in 24 games for the Great Danes.
In 2023, he made 57 catches for 1,086 yards, 14 touchdowns, three carries for 16 yards, two kick returns for 41 yards, and two tackles (2 solo) in 15 games. He was named Second Team All-CAA, and Third Team FCS All-American.
Cephus Johnson III is six foot five and weighs 220 pounds. The 25-year-old from Mobile, Alabama, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on December 18, 2024.
The Minnesota Vikings signed Johnson III as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. The Vikings released him on August 7, 2023. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Johnson III on August 12, 2023. In 2023, he appeared in two preseason games recording no stats.
Johnson III spent the 2023 season on the practice squad. In 2024, he played in three preseason games recording no stats. The Buccaneers released him on August 27, 2024.
Collegiately, Johnson III played three seasons at South Alabama (2017-19) as a quarterback completing 90 of 180 passes (50%) for 1,020 yards, 8 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 103 carries for 243 yards, and four touchdowns in 16 games for the Jaguars.
Then, he transferred to Southeastern Louisiana (2020-22) as a backup quarterback and wide receiver. He completed 124 of 195 passes (64%) for 1,449 yards, 11 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 138 carries for 797 yards, 8 touchdowns, and three catches for 22 yards in 25 games for the Lions.
Griffin Hebert is six foot one and weighs 239 pounds. The 26-year-old from Lafayette, Louisiana, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on December 30, 2024.
The Seattle Seahawks signed Hebert as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. In 2023, Hebert made three catches for 21 yards in three preseason games. The Seahawks released him on August 28, 2023.
The Philadelphia Eagles signed Hebert on December 28, 2023. In 2024, he made three catches for 48 yards in three preseason games. The Eagles released him on September 10, 2024.
Collegiately, Hebert played five seasons at Louisiana Tech (2018-22) making 99 catches for 1,532 yards, 14 touchdowns, and four tackles (2 solos, 2 assists) in 56 games for the Bulldogs.
Dayton Black is six foot six and weighs 295 pounds. The 25-year-old from Brandon, Manitoba, was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the first round (6th pick) of the 2023 CFL Draft. In 2023, he dressed in 17 games, of which one was a start.
In 2023, Hamilton’s offense finished seventh in points per game (22.7), fifth in offensive points per game (20.9), fifth in offensive touchdowns (35), fourth in net offense per game (352.0), seventh in rushing yards per game (96.7), and four in sacks allowed (46).
In 2024, Black started on the six-game injured list before moving to the practice squad. The Ticats released him on October 2, 2024. He re-signed with the Ticats on October 5, 2024, and spent nine days on the practice squad. He did not play the 2024 season and the Ticats released him again on October 15, 2024. The Ticats re-signed Black on November 21, 2024.
Collegiately, Black played three seasons at the University of Saskatchewan (2018-22) playing 30 games for the Huskies. He was named a Canada West All-Star (2022). He began his career as a defensive lineman before switching to the offensive line in 2021.
Maalik Hall is six foot two and weighs 235 pounds. The 26-year-old from Athens, Texas, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on March 31, 2025.
The New York Jets signed Hall as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2023, but was placed on injured reserve and later released on February 16, 2024.
Then, Hall signed with the Birmingham Stallions as a free agent on March 14, 2024, but was released on March 22, 2024. Hall re-signed with the Stallions on May 1, 2024. He did not play for the Stallions in 2024. The Stallions re-signed Hall on October 22, 2024, and released him on January 22, 2025.
Collegiately, Hall played five seasons at Southeast Oklahoma State (2017-22) with 154 tackles (79 solos, 75 assists), 24.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one blocked punt, and one punt return for 17 yards in 43 games for the Savage Storm. In 2021, Hall was named the Great American Conference Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-GAC, and D2football.com top-100 players list.
Marcel Walker-Burgess is six foot two and weighs 252 pounds. A native of Piscataway, New Jersey, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on May 2, 2025.
Collegiately, Walker-Burgess played one season at Southern Connecticut State University in 2021 making 17 tackles (9 solos, 8 assists), four tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and one pass breakup in 10 games for the Owls.
Next, he transferred to Nevada (2022-23) making 70 tackles (43 solos, 27 assists), 11.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, and one pass breakup in 22 games for the Wolfpack.
Then, he Walker-Burgess transferred to Ohio in 2024 making 56 tackles (33 solos, 23 assists), 7.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception for one yard, three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 14 games for the Bobcats.
Mitchell Townsend is six foot four and weighs 235 pounds. The 23-year-old from North Vancouver, British Columbia, re-signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on December 2, 2024.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats drafted Townsend in the eighth round (70th pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft. Townsend appeared in two preseason games for the Ticats in 2024 making one tackle.
The Ticats released him on June 1, 2024. The B.C. Lions signed Townsend on July 27, 2024. He spent a couple of weeks on the practice squad before he was released on August 9, 2024.
Collegiately, Townsend played four seasons at the University of British Columbia (2019, 2021-23) making 130 tackles (67 solos, 63 assists), nine tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries in 36 games for the Thunderbirds. In 2023, Townsend made 88 tackles (45 solos, 43 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one forced fumble in 12 games.
D.J. Daniel is six foot one and weighs 185 pounds. The 26-year-old from Griffin, Georgia, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on February 25, 2025.
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Daniel as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2021, but was released on August 17, 2021. Next, he signed with the New England Patriots and was placed on the practice squad.
Then, the New Jersey Generals signed Daniel on June 14, 2022. In 2022, Daniel played one game for the Generals. In 2023, Daniel made 30 tackles (27 solos, 3 assists), one tackle for loss, three interceptions, and six pass breakups in ten games.
The Memphis Showboats drafted Daniel in the 2024 UFL Dispersal Draft. Memphis released him on March 23, 2024. The Showboats re-signed him on April 23, 2024. In 2024, he made 15 tackles (14 solos, 1 assist), and one interception in six games. He became a free agent after the 2024 season.
Collegiately, Daniel played two seasons at Georgia Military College (2017-18) making 36 tackles (32 solos, 4 assists), one tackle for loss, five interceptions for 38 yards, 12 pass breakups, and five blocked kicks in 19 games for the Bulldogs. He helped lead Georgia Military’s defense allowing 159.6 passing yards per game and 16.8 points per game.
Then, he transferred to Georgia (2019-20) making 51 tackles (44 solos, 7 assists), three tackles for loss, and nine pass breakups in 21 games for the Bulldogs.
Tyler Boatwright is six foot one and weighs 170 pounds. A native of Hillsborough, New Jersey, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on February 17, 2025.
Boatwright attended the New York Jets rookie minicamp in 2024. The San Antonio Brahmas signed Boatwright on July 23, 2024. The Brahmas released him on January 29, 2025. The Ticats signed Boatwright on January 31, 2025.
Collegiately, Boatwright played six seasons at Central Connecticut State University (2018-23) making 71 tackles (51 solos, 20 assists), two tackles for loss, two interceptions, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, 22 pass breakups, and two blocked punts in 33 games for the Blue Devils.
He was named Second Team All-Northeast Conference in 2021 after making 26 tackles (19 solos, 7 assists), one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and eight pass breakups in eight games. In high school, Boatwright was selected to the NJFCA Super 100 Team as a senior and the recipient of the 2016 Shawn Mayer Award (Offensive MVP).
Gadiel Kazadi is six foot one and weighs 190 pounds. The 23-year-old from London, Ontario, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on April 28, 2025.
Kazadi played for the London Beefeaters (CJFL) in 2021 making six tackles in four games. In 2023, he split his time with the Okanagan Sun and the St. Clair Saints making 20 tackles (13 solos, 7 assists), one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown in seven games.
In 2024, Kazadi made 19 tackles (14 solos, 5 assists), three interceptions for 31 yards, three pass breakups, one blocked kick, and one fumble recovery in seven games for the St. Clair Saints.
