The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed offensive lineman John Kourtis and released running back Khalan Griffin on Tuesday according to the CFL Transactions page.
John Kourtis is six foot four and weighs 275 pounds. The 25-year-old from Toronto, Ontario, was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the seventh round (61st pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft. In 2024, Kourtis appeared in two preseason games.
The Ticats released him on June 1, 2024, and he returned to Saskatchewan for his final collegiate season. Hamilton re-signed Kourtis on November 29, 2024. They released him on May 16, 2025.
Collegiately, Kourtis played five seasons at Liberty (2018-22) playing guard and center in 34 games for the Flames. Then, Kourtis transferred to the University of Saskatchewan (2023-24) playing 19 games for the Huskies.
In 2024, Kourtis played 10 games. Saskatchewan’s offense averaged 28.50 points per game, 154.0 rushing yards per game, 297.60 passing yards per game, 431.0 total yards per game, and 34 touchdowns finishing 7-4 in the season and making it to the Hardy Cup where they lost to Regina 19-14.
Khalan Griffin is five foot ten and weighs 205 pounds. The 23-year-old from Tyler, Texas, attended the Las Vegas Raiders rookie minicamp in 2025. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Griffin on May 20, 2025. Griffin appeared in one preseason game in 2025 recording no stats.
Collegiately, Griffin played two seasons at Rice University (2020-21) with 186 carries for 649 yards, two touchdowns, and four catches for 65 yards in 17 games for the Owls. He won the Joe F. Lipscomb Award in 2020.
Then, he transferred to Lamar University (2022-24) with 504 carries for 2,600 yards, 18 touchdowns, 23 catches for 193 yards, one touchdown, one kick return for 17 yards, and five tackles (2 solos, 3 assists) in 33 games, of which 29 were starts.
In 2024, he had 218 carries for 1,158 yards, seven touchdowns, 11 catches for 74 yards, one touchdown, and five tackles (2 solos, 3 assists) in 11 games. He was named a two-time First Team All-Southland Conference. He was also the fourth running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
