The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed defensive end Brian Ugwu and defensive back Kaleb Hayes on Tuesday.
Brian Ugwu is six foot three and weighs 256 pounds. The 25-year-old from Hillside, New Jersey, attended the Baltimore Ravens rookie minicamp in 2025.
Collegiately, Ugwu spent three seasons at Rutgers (2019-21) with one tackle (1 assist) in three games for the Scarlet Knights. Then, he transferred to Miami (OH) (2022-24) with 164 tackles (74 solos, 90 assists), 37.5 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, one interception for six yards, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 41 games for the Redhawks.
In 2023, he made a career-high 62 tackles (31 solos, 31 assists), 12 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 14 games. He was named Second Team All-MAC after the season. In 2024, Ugwu was named First Team All-MAC and Miami’s Defensive Player of the Year after finishing the season with 59 tackles (24 solos, 35 assists), 14.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries.
Kaleb Hayes is six foot and weighs 194 pounds. The 26-year-old from San Bernardino, California, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. In 2023, he made six tackles (6 solos) and two pass breakups in three preseason games. The Jaguars released him on August 29, 2023.
The New York Giants signed Hayes to the practice squad on August 31, 2023. The Giants traded Kayes to the Denver Broncos on August 12, 2024. In 2024, he made two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) in two preseason games. The Broncos released him on August 26, 2024.
The Green Bay Packers signed Hayes on January 14, 2025. The Packers released him on May 21, 2025. The Chicago Bears signed Hayes on August 12, 2025. In 2025, he made three tackles (3 solos) in two preseason games. The Bears released him on August 25, 2025.
Collegiately, Hayes spent four seasons at Oregon State (2017-20) with 46 tackles (32 solos, 14 assists) and eight pass breakups in 17 games for the Beavers. Then, he transferred to BYU (2021-22) with 67 tackles (47 solos, 20 assists) and 19 pass breakups in 25 games for the Cougars.
