The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have re-signed American defensive back David Vereen and added five more players to their training camp roster.
Vereen spent the latter half of the 2023 season on the Ticats’ practice roster after attending training camp with the Indianapolis Colts. He dressed for the regular-season finale and started at cornerback, recording four tackles.
The five-foot-11, 175-pound cover man played 38 games over four seasons at Newberry College, registering 112 total tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions and 40 passes defended. He later earned an undrafted free agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens, before joining the Colts.
Also heading to Hamilton are American defensive back Destin Talbert, running back Calvin Tyler Jr., and receivers Shemar Bridges and Johnny King. Global receiver Jevoni Robinson comes over from the B.C. Lions.
Talbert attended FCS powerhouse North Dakota State University, suiting up in 67 games over five seasons. The six-foot, 187-pound cornerback amassed 144 career tackles, three tackles for loss, 25 passes defended, four interceptions and two forced fumbles but went unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, settling for a rookie camp tryout with the Chicago Bears.
Tyler Jr. was a thousand-yard rusher at Utah State University, earning second-team All-Mountain West honours as a senior in 2022. The five-foot-eight, 210-pound ball carrier wrapped up his collegiate career by playing two seasons with the Aggies after a three-year tenure at Oregon State, amassing 479 carries for 2,130 yards and 16 touchdowns in 39 career games. He also caught 29 passes for 203 yards and two scores, earning a shot with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent.
Bridges played three seasons at Fort Valley State University after transferring from Tusculum. The six-foot-four, 208-pound target played in just 16 games as a Wildcat, catching 92 passes for 1,358 yards and seven touchdowns, before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens and spending some time on their practice roster in 2022.
King dressed for 31 games over three seasons at Southeastern Missouri State University, notching 124 receptions for 1,638 yards and 13 touchdowns. The six-foot-four, 206-pound pass catcher earned opportunities with the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent last season.
Robinson spent last season on the practice roster of the B.C. Lions after being selected in the first round of the 2023 CFL Global Draft. The six-foot-eight, 225-pound converted basketball player from Jamaica caught six passes for 54 yards and a touchdown in two preseason games. The 31-year-old previously spent time with the Houston Texans, San Antonio Commanders of the AAF, Sea Lions of The Spring League, and St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL.
The Ticats will begin their 2024 season on Friday, June 7 when they visit the Calgary Stampeders.
