The Hamilton Tiger-Cats released running back Nahree Biggins, wide receivers Blayne Taylor and Hakeem Harris, offensive linemen Noah Henderson and Reuben Unije, linebackers Jayden Griffiths and Daveren Rayner, defensive backs Robert McDaniel and Kaleb Hayes, and punter Mitch McCarthy from the practice squad on Sunday, according to the CFL Transactions page. These players automatically became free agents after Hamilton’s season ended on Saturday.
Nahree Biggins is six foot one and weighs 210 pounds. The 25-year-old from Hillside, New Jersey, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on May 20, 2026. In 2026, Biggins had seven carries for 36 yards and two catches for 15 yards in one regular-season game.
Collegiately, Biggins spent five seasons at Central Michigan University (2021-25). He started as a defensive back for three seasons before transitioning to running back in 2024.
Biggins had 124 carries for 676 yards, two rushing touchdowns, 22 catches for 192 yards, one touchdown, 16 tackles (10 solos, 6 assists), two tackles for loss, one interception, two pass breakups, and 15 kick returns for 312 yards in 34 games for the Chippewas.
In 2025, he was a team captain. Biggins had 105 carries for 540 yards, two rushing touchdowns, 19 catches for 185 yards, one touchdown, 12 kick returns for 250 yards, and one tackle (1 assist) in 12 games.
Blayne Taylor is six foot five and weighs 215 pounds. The 24-year-old from Saginaw, Texas, attended the Indianapolis Colts rookie minicamp in 2025. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Taylor on December 9, 2025. In 2026, he made three catches for 48 yards in two preseason games. The Tiger-Cats released him on May 31, 2026. The Tiger-Cats re-signed Taylor to the practice squad on July 1, 2026.
Collegiately, Taylor spent two seasons at Cisco College (2020-21), a member of the NJCAA Division 1 in Cisco, Texas, with 22 catches for 271 yards in 15 games for the Wranglers.
Then, he transferred to Abilene Christian University (2022-24) with 133 catches for 2,026 yards, 17 touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 36 games for the Wildcats. In 2024, he made a career-high 73 catches for 1,117 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games on his way to being named Second Team All-UAC.
After the season, he became the second player in ACU’s history to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl since defensive back Danieal Manning in 2006.
Hakeem Harris is six foot three and weighs 210 pounds. The 24-year-old from Markham, Ontario, was drafted by the Montreal Alouettes in the third round (26th pick) of the 2025 CFL Draft. In 2025, he appeared in 12 games. In 2026, Harris was on the team’s practice squad. The Alouettes released him on July 21, 2026. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Harris to the practice squad on August 25, 2026. In 2026, he appeared in one regular-season game with no stats.
Collegiately, Harris played five seasons at Davenport University (2020-24) with 18 catches for 267 yards, one touchdown, eight tackles (5 solos, 3 assists), and half a tackle for loss in 26 games for the Panthers.
Noah Henderson is six foot five and weighs 311 pounds. The 26-year-old from Bennettsville, South Carolina, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on September 12, 2026, and was placed on the practice squad.
Henderson attended the Buffalo Bills rookie minicamp in 2023. The Arlington Renegades signed Henderson on January 23, 2024. In 2024, he played nine games, of which five were starts. Arlington’s offense ranked second in total yards (3,119), passing yards (2,277), yards per game (311.9), sixth in rushing (842), and tied third for touchdowns (27), finishing 3-7 for the season.
The Memphis Showboats signed Henderson on February 5, 2025. In 2025, he played nine games, of which one was a start. Memphis averaged 14.8 points per game, 252 yards per game, 166.2 passing yards per game, 85.8 rushing yards per game, and 12 touchdowns.
Henderson was drafted by the Birmingham Stallions in the 2026 UFL Draft. In 2026, he played ten games, of which six were starts. The Stallions averaged 19 points per game, 270.5 yards per game, 196.6 passing yards per game, 73.9 rushing yards per game, and 20 touchdowns.
Collegiately, Henderson played four seasons at East Carolina University (2019-22), playing 35 games, of which 33 were starts for the Pirates. In 2022, East Carolina averaged 32.54 points per game, 170.6 rushing yards per game, 290.46 passing yards per game, 461.1 total yards per game, 55 touchdowns, and allowed 15 sacks, finishing 8-5 for the season, beating Coastal Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl.
Reuben Unije is six foot six and weighs 315 pounds. The 26-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on July 22, 2026, and was placed on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Unije began at the University of Houston (2020-23), where he played 26 games, of which 19 were starts (13 at right tackle, 6 at left tackle) for the Cougars. In 2023, he started at right tackle in 11 games, playing 679 snaps, and allowed two sacks over his final nine games. He recorded a 95.7 efficiency rating from Pro Football Focus.
Unije was set to transfer to the University of Louisville, but chose to transfer to UCLA (2024-25), playing 16 games, of which 14 were starts at right tackle. In 2025, Unije appeared in 12 games, of which 10 were starts at right tackle. UCLA averaged 319.9 yards per game, 180.3 passing yards per game, 139.7 rushing yards per game, and 24 touchdowns.
Jayden Griffiths is six foot and weighs 223 pounds. The 24-year-old from Mississauga, Ontario, was drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks in the seventh round (60th pick) of the 2025 CFL Draft. In 2025, he made one tackle and five tackles on special teams in 18 games. The Redblacks released him on May 13, 2026. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Griffiths to the practice squad on August 5, 2026. In 2026, he appeared in two games with no stats.
Collegiately, Griffiths played four seasons at Wilfrid Laurier University (2021-24) with 93 tackles (58 solos, 35 assists), four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and one punt return for five yards in 40 games for the Golden Hawks. Griffiths helped the Golden Hawks win the 2024 Yates Cup and Uteck Bowl.
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. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Rayner to the practice squad on September 14, 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.
Robert McDaniel is six foot two and weighs 207 pounds. The 26-year-old from Jackson, Mississippi, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on September 12, 2026, and was placed on the practice squad.
The Washington Commanders signed McDaniel as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2025. In 2025, he made ten tackles (4 solos, 6 assists) and one pass breakup in three preseason games, earning a spot on the practice squad. The Commanders released him on August 11, 2026.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him on August 17, 2026. In 2026, he made four tackles (2 solos, 2 assists) in two preseason games. The Buccaneers released him on August 30, 2026.
Collegiately, McDaniel began at Jackson State University in 2019, playing one game for the Tigers. Next, he transferred to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (2020-21) with 69 tackles (38 solos, 31 assists), 8.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, and three pass breakups in 15 games for the Bulldogs.
Then, he transferred to Alcorn State University (2022-23) with 43 tackles (26 solos, 17 assists), 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and eight pass breakups in 20 games for the Braves. He returned to Jackson State University in 2024 with 10 tackles (4 solos, 6 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup, and one interception in five games.
Kaleb Hayes is six foot and weighs 194 pounds. The 27-year-old from San Bernardino, California, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on January 20, 2026. In 2026, he made five tackles and two tackles on special teams in five games.
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Hayes 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 Hayes 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.
Mitch McCarthy is six foot five and weighs 233 pounds. The 29-year-old from Melbourne, Australia, was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the second round (14th pick) of the 2026 CFL Global Draft. In 2026, McCarthy punted the ball 79 times for 3,943 yards (49.9 AVG), with a long of 81 yards, and one tackle on special teams in 14 games.
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.
