The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed linebacker Jordan Crook and punter Mitch McCarthy on Wednesday.
Jordan Crook is five foot eleven and weighs 220 pounds. The 22-year-old from Duncanville, Texas, began his collegiate career at Arkansas (2022-23) with 40 tackles (16 solos, 24 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble in 25 games for the Razorbacks.
Then, he transferred to Arizona State (2024-25) with 158 tackles (80 solos, 78 assists), 11.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, and four pass breakups in 24 games for the Sun Devils. In 2025, he made 101 tackles (52 solos, 49 assists), eight tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and two pass breakups in 13 games.
Mitch McCarthy is six foot five and weighs 233 pounds. The 28-year-old from Melbourne, Australia, was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the second round (14th pick) of the 2026 CFL Global Draft.
Collegiately, McCarthy spent three seasons at the University of Central Florida (2022-24), punting the ball 115 times for 4,948 yards (43 AVG), 39 from inside the 20-yard line, and one tackle (1 solo) in 37 games for the Knights.
Then, he transferred to Indiana in 2025, punting the ball 37 times for 1,541 yards (41.6 AVG), with a long of 55 yards, 10 fair catches, 15 from inside the 20-yard line, and four from 50-plus yards in 14 games, helping Indiana win the CFP National Championship.
The Tiger-Cats placed defensive back Mack Bannatyne on the retired list.
The Tiger-Cats released the following players: Wide receivers Keaton Bruggeling and Kelly Akharaiyi, offensive lineman Quinn Carroll, defensive linemen Maalik Hall, Kail Dava, and Dawson Scott, linebacker Jayden McDonald, defensive backs Josiah Scott and Gabe Jeudy-Lally, and punter Fraser Masin.
