The Toronto Argonauts have signed five American players, including running backs Adam Cofield and Quay Holmes, receiver Will Vereen, offensive lineman Aron Johnson, and linebacker Casey Williams, the team announced on Tuesday.
Cofield rushed for 373 yards and four touchdowns with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in 2021 after transferring from North Dakota State. The five-foot-eleven, 215-pound ball carrier rushed for 1,542 yards and 19 touchdowns with the Bison, winning three consecutive FCS National Championships. The 24-year-old is the son of Tim Cofield, a three-time CFL all-star and two-time East Division Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
Holmes ran for 4,264 yards and 45 touchdowns and caught 93 passes for 799 yards and six touchdowns over 43 games at East Tennessee State. The six-foot-one, 215-pound ball carrier ran for a school record 1,553 yards and 17 touchdowns in his senior year and holds school records for career touchdowns and career points.
Vereen caught 80 passes for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns in 29 career games at South Carolina State University. The five-foot-eleven, 204-pound target reportedly ran a 4.53 forty-yard dash at his pro day in March 2022.
Johnson spent a portion of this past season on the practice roster with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The six-foot-six, 300-pound blocker played 48 games over four seasons at South Dakota University and was named second-team All-Conference as a senior.
Williams recorded 136 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery over 39 games at Stony Brook University. The Philadelphia native was under contract with the B.C. Lions earlier this year where he was listed as a defensive end.
The Argos also announced that 13 players have re-signed, many of whom finished this past year on the practice roster.
They include Canadian fullback Joe Carbone, American receiver Jeremiah Haydel, Canadian tight end Chase Arseneau, American offensive lineman Kofi Appiah, Canadian offensive lineman Dylan Giffen, Canadian offensive lineman Braydon Noll, Global defensive lineman Simeon Okonta-Wariso, Canadian defensive lineman Michael Pezzuto, Canadian linebacker Daniel Kwamou, Canadian linebacker Enoch Penney-Laryea, American defensive back Jonathan Edouard, American defensive back Caleb Holden, and Canadian long snapper Max Latour.