The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed linebacker Daveren Rayner and punter Nik Constantinou on Monday.
Daveren Rayner is six foot two and weighs 217 pounds. The 24-year-old from Indianapolis, Indiana, signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent on May 11, 2026. In 2026, he made six tackles (5 solos, 1 assist) in three preseason games. The Falcons released him on August 29, 2026.
Collegiately, Rayner spent three seasons at Northern Illinois (2020-22) with 126 tackles (63 solos, 63 assists), 8.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and three pass breakups in 20 games for the Huskies. In 2022, he made 71 tackles (30 solos, 41 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in eight games.
Then, he transferred to the University of Kentucky (2023-25) with 112 tackles (57 solos, 55 assists), 12.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions for 25 yards, and six pass breakups in 29 games for the Wildcats. In 2025, he made 69 tackles (32 solos, 37 assists), 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions for 25 yards, and four pass breakups in 12 games. He was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his play against the Florida Gators, in which he made five tackles (3 solos, 2 assists), one tackle for loss, two pass breakups, and one interception.
Nik Constantinou is six foot three and weighs 225 pounds. The 26-year-old from Melbourne, Australia, was released by the Tiger-Cats on January 7, 2026. He signed with the Cleveland Browns on January 9, 2026. In 2026, he punted the ball two times for 108 yards (54 AVG), with a long of 66 yards, one from 50-plus yards, and one from inside the 20-yard line in two preseason games. The Browns released him on August 28, 2026.
The Denver Broncos signed Constantinou as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2024. The Broncos released him on May 14, 2024. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats drafted Constantinou in the first round (5th pick) of the 2024 CFL Global Draft and signed Constantinou on May 27, 2024.
In 2024, Constantinou punted the ball 102 times for 4,803 yards (47.1 AVG) with a long of 74 yards in 18 games. In 2025, Constantinou punted the ball 90 times for 4,343 yards (48.3 AVG) with a long of 84 yards, and made one extra point in 18 games.
Collegiately, Constantinou played five seasons at Texas A&M (2019-23), punting the ball 191 times for 8,174 yards (42.8 AVG) with a long of 65 yards, six touchbacks, 83 fair catches, 77 from inside the 20-yard line, and 39 from 50-plus yards in 48 games for the Aggies. He was named First Team All-SEC by the AP in 2021 and a Ray Guy Award Semifinalist in 2020.
In 2023, Constantinou punted the ball 41 times for 1,693 yards (41.3 AVG) with a long of 54 yards, one touchback, 17 fair catches, 17 from inside the 20-yard line, and nine from 50-plus yards in 13 games for Texas A&M. He was a 2023 Campbell Trophy Semifinalist.
