On Saturday, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats made a couple of moves. First, they signed former Wisconsin cornerback Caesar Williams and former New Mexico cornerback Tony Collier. To make room for both players, the Ticats released defensive back Desmond Lawrence and wide receiver Jaylon Redd.
Caesar Williams, a 24-year-old from Grand Prairie, Texas, recently was with the Los Angeles Rams during training camp earlier this year. Collegiately, Williams played five seasons at Wisconsin (2017-21) with 100 tackles, five interceptions, one touchdown, 27 pass breakups, and one forced fumble. He is a two-time All-Big Ten third team.
Tony Collier, a 24-year-old from Little Rock, Arkansas, played one season at Mendocino Community College (2016) with 23 tackles and one interception in seven games.
Then, Collier transferred to the College of the Canyons as a two-sport athlete in track and field and football. Collier had 12 tackles in ten games. In addition, Collier competed in the 100-meter, high jump, low jump, and 4×100 relay in track and field. Finally, Collier transferred to New Mexico (2019-21) with 55 tackles and four pass breakups in 27 games.
Desmond Lawrence, a 27-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, spent two seasons in Hamilton (2021-22) with 26 tackles, five tackles on special teams, one sack, and two interceptions in 15 games. He played five games for Hamilton this year with four tackles and two tackles on special teams.
Before coming to the CFL, Lawrence spent two seasons with the Detroit Lions practice squad. Then, Lawrence played for the Atlanta Legends (AAF) in 2019 with nine tackles and two pass breakups. In 2020, Lawrence played for the DC Defenders (XFL) with 18 tackles and three pass breakups.
Collegiately, Lawrence played four seasons at North Carolina (2013-16) with 178 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three interceptions, and 30 pass breakups in 47 games. He was named Second-Team All-ACC in 2015.
Jaylon Redd, a 24-year-old from Carson, California, never played a game for the Ticats. Redd attended minicamp for the Seattle Seahawks earlier this year. Collegiately, Redd played five seasons at Oregon (2017-21) with 131 catches for 1,435 yards, 16 touchdowns, 25 carries for 179 yards, and five touchdowns in 52 games.
