The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed wide receiver and returner Mario Alford, wide receiver Tyson Middlemost, offensive lineman Eric Lofton, and defensive lineman Kene Onyeka to one-year contracts, and punter Fraser Masin to a two-year contract on Tuesday.
Mario Alford is five foot nine and weighs 182 pounds. The 34-year-old from Greenville, Georgia, had 31 kick returns for 876 yards, one touchdown, and 44 punt returns for 476 yards in 18 games for the Roughriders in 2025.
The Cincinnati Bengals drafted him in the seventh round (238th pick) in the 2015 NFL Draft. In 2015, he made one catch for 15 yards, eight kick returns for 190 yards, and eight punt returns for 68 yards in one game. The Bengals released him on September 3, 2016. He also spent time with the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, and Cleveland Browns. Alford played three games for the Browns in 2016 with eight punt returns for 68 yards and eight kick returns for 258 yards.
Then, Alford signed with the Toronto Argonauts on June 3, 2018. In 2018, Alford made seven catches for 57 yards, one carry for ten yards, five punt returns for seven yards, and eight kick returns for 170 yards in six games.
The Montreal Alouettes signed Alford on September 24, 2019, for a 2023 sixth-round draft pick. In 2019, he made one catch for 14 yards, 26 punt returns for 486 yards, three touchdowns, and 24 kick returns for 477 yards in nine games.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders acquired Alford from the Montreal Alouettes on July 3, 2022. In 2022, Alford had 44 punt returns for 530 yards, one touchdown, and 38 kick returns for 990 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. He was named the John Agro Special Teams Award.
In 2023, he had 51 kick returns for 1,181 yards, 89 punt returns for 980 yards, and three touchdowns in 18 games. He was named a CFL West All-Star. The Roughriders re-signed Alford on January 4, 2024. In 2024, Alford made one catch for six yards, 45 kick returns for 1,077 yards, one touchdown, and 79 punt returns for 801 yards in 18 games.
Collegiately, Alford played two seasons at Georgia Military College (2011-12) with 87 carries for 767 yards, ten touchdowns, and ten catches for 122 yards, and one touchdown in 17 games for the Bulldogs.
Then, Alford transferred to West Virginia (2013-14) with 92 catches for 1,497 yards, 13 touchdowns, 37 kick returns for 972 yards, two touchdowns, and three punt returns for -13 yards in 25 games for the Mountaineers.
Tyson Middlemost is six foot one and weighs 200 pounds. The 28-year-old from Dundas, Ontario, signed with the Edmonton Elks on February 11, 2025. In 2025, he made five catches for 34 yards and eight tackles in 15 games.
The Calgary Stampeders drafted Middlemost in the fourth round (34th pick) of the 2020 CFL Draft. In 2023, he made four tackles on special teams in 12 games. The Calgary Stampeders re-signed Middlemost on January 16, 2024. In 2024, he made three catches for 43 yards, four kick returns for 65 yards, and 10 tackles on special teams in 17 games.
In four seasons with Calgary, Middlemost made eight catches for 87 yards, 30 tackles on special teams, one forced fumble, and four kick returns for 65 yards in 46 games.
Collegiately, Middlemost played four seasons at McMaster University (2016-19) with 83 catches for 1,032 yards, seven touchdowns, seven kick returns for 215 yards, and one punt return for ten yards in 26 games for the Marauders.
Eric Lofton is six foot four and weighs 300 pounds. The 32-year-old from Lumberton, New Jersey, re-signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on February 3, 2025. In 2025, Lofton appeared in one game. Winnipeg’s offense averaged 23.1 points per game, 345.7 net yards per game, 235 yards per game, 124.1 rushing yards per game, 38 touchdowns, and allowed 37 sacks to finish 10-8 for the season. They lost to the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Semi-Final.
Lofton had tryouts for the Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Soul (AFL), and the Montreal Alouettes before signing with the Ottawa Redblacks on February 27, 2017.
Lofton played four games in two seasons with the Redblacks, including a trip to the 105th Grey Cup against the Calgary Stampeders. Next, he signed with the B.C. Lions on February 8, 2019. The Lions released him on June 8, 2019. Then, he signed with the Edmonton Eskimos (now Elks) on July 8, 2019. He played two games for the Edmonton Eskimos. After the cancellation of the 2020 season, Lofton was released by the Elks on May 24, 2021.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Lofton on March 22, 2022. In 2022, he played one game when Winnipeg went to the 109th Grey Cup against the Toronto Argonauts. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Lofton as a free agent on February 10, 2023. In 2023, Lofton played 15 games.
Saskatchewan’s offense finished eighth in average points per game (20.3), sixth in offensive touchdowns (34), fifth in average net offense (346.4), eighth in average rushing yards (84.4), third in average passing yards (280.4), and seventh in sacks allowed (54).
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Lofton on February 16, 2024. In 2024, he started 18 games. Winnipeg’s offense ranked eighth in average points (23.2), sixth in average net offense (358.5), third in average rushing yards (111.7), eighth in average passing yards (260.2), ninth in passing touchdowns (18), and fifth in sacks allowed (36).
Collegiately, Lofton played four seasons at Temple University (2012-15), playing 37 games on the offensive line for the Owls. In 2015, Temple’s offense averaged 29.79 points per game, 149. 7 rushing yards per game, 217.00 passing yards per game, 366.7 yards per game, 49 touchdowns, and allowed 18 sacks, finishing 10-4 for the season. In 2015, he was named First Team All-AAC.
The Owls appeared in the American Athletic Conference title game against the Houston Cougars in a 24-13 loss. The Owls would play in the Boca Raton Bowl against Toledo, but lost 32-17.
Kene Onyeka is six foot three and weighs 244 pounds. The 29-year-old from Lagos, Nigeria, re-signed with the Redblacks on January 21, 2025. In 2025, he made one tackle and 11 tackles on special teams in 15 games.
The Ottawa Redblacks drafted Onyeka in the fourth round (29th pick) of the 2018 CFL Draft. In 2024, he made 10 tackles, nine tackles on special teams, and one sack in 12 games. In seven seasons, Onyeka made 55 tackles, 55 tackles on special teams, 11 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 81 games.
Collegiately, Onyeka played five seasons at Carleton University (2014-18) with 143.5 tackles (108 solos, 71 assists), 34.5 tackles for loss, 21.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and four pass breakups in 31 games for the Ravens.
He was named First Team All-Canadian and the OUA top lineman in 2017 after with 46 tackles (32 solos, 14 assists), 12.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and two pass breakups in eight games.
Fraser Masin is six foot four and weighs 230 pounds. The 24-year-old from Brisbane, Australia, was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders in the first round (1st pick) of the 2025 CFL Global Draft. In 2025, Masin punted the ball 27 times for 1,242 yards (46.0 AVG) with a long of 77 yards in five games. He finished the season on the practice squad. The Stampeders released him on November 2, 2025.
Collegiately, Masin played three seasons at Ole Miss (2022-24) punting the ball 125 times for 5,441 yards (43.5 AVG), with a long of 65 yards, four touchbacks, 40 fair catches, 41 from inside the 20-yard line, 26 from 50-plus yards, one carry for 24 yards, and three tackles (2 solos, 1 assist) in 37 games for the Rebels.
In 2024, he punted the ball 36 times for 1,676 yards (46.6 AVG), with a long of 65 yards, one touchback, 13 fair catches, 16 from inside the 20-yard line, and 14 from 50-plus yards in 12 games for the Ole Miss Rebels. He was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award and named Fourth Team All-SEC by Phil Steele.
Masin graduated from St. Joseph’s Nudgee College in Brisbane, Australia, in 2018. He was selected to the Australian rules football state team in 2017 and 2016, and was a member of the Brisbane Lions Academy in 2018. Besides football, Masin played volleyball and basketball.
