Double boost: Tiger-Cats snap up DE Ugwu and DB Hayes

With CFL free agency less than a month away, teams are busy retaining key contributors, assessing pending free agents, and adding athletic prospects ahead of training camp.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have been active on the defensive side of the ball, re-signing defensive end Julian Howsare, cornerback Jamal Peters, and safety Stavros Katsantonis.

Alongside those veteran returns, Hamilton continues to add developmental talent to its training camp roster. The latest additions are American defensive end Brian Ugwu and defensive back Kaleb Hayes, both of whom will be evaluated during rookie mini-camp. If they impress, each could carve out a role on the Tiger-Cats’ depth chart.

Ugwu profiles as a potential rotational pass rusher who could complement Howsare and Philip Ossai. The 6-foot-3, 256-pound edge defender played collegiately at Rutgers before transferring to Miami (Ohio), where he appeared in 41 games from 2022 to 2024, recording 164 total tackles and 20.5 sacks.

Hayes brings versatility and professional experience to Hamilton’s secondary. The 6-foot, 195-pound defensive back played college football at Oregon State and BYU, totaling 122 tackles across both programs.

He has since spent time on NFL practice squads with the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, Denver Broncos, and Chicago Bears, and also suited up for the Michigan Panthers in the UFL. Hayes could contribute on special teams or push for a role in Hamilton’s already strong defensive backfield.