The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed former Sam Houston State defense lineman Ellison Hubbard on Tuesday. Ellison Hubbard is six foot two and weighs 285 pounds. In addition, the Ticats activated offensive lineman Chris Van Zeyl from the injured list, and place wide receiver Anthony Johnson and defensive lineman Cedric Wilcots on the six-game injured list.
The 23-year-old from Loganville, Georgia, played one season at Sam Houston State in 2022 with 15 tackles (11 solo, 4 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery in eight games for the Bearkats. He was named Second Team All-WAC team.
Before Sam Houston State, Hubbard played four seasons at Colorado State (2017-20) with 93 tackles (41 solo, 43 assists), 16.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble in 41 games for the Rams. He was named Third Team Athlon Sports preseason All-Mountain West in 2020.
Chris Van Zeyl is six foot six and weighs 312 pounds. The 39-year-old from Fonthill, Ontario, is entering his fourth season with Hamilton. He’s played 30 games in three seasons, including playing in two Grey Cup championship games in 2019 and 2021. During his time in Toronto, Van Zeyl was named CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award and the Leo Dandurand Trophy in 2019.
The Montreal Alouettes drafted Van Zeyl in the third round (18th pick) in the 2007 CFL Draft. Van Zeyl was on the Alouettes practice squad before being released. Shortly after his release, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts. He played 156 games in ten seasons in Toronto, including winning two Grey Cup championships in 2012 and 2017. He is a seven-time CFL East All-Star and a three-time CFL All-Star.
Collegiately, Van Zeyl played four seasons at McMaster (2004-07) as a defensive tackle with 42 tackles, 11 sacks, and one forced fumble for the Marauders.
Anthony Johnson is six foot two and weighs 220 pounds. The 28-year-old from Rock Hill, South Carolina, made 13 catches for 250 yards, and one touchdown for the Ticats in 2022. Before Hamilton, Johnson spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Collegiately, Johnson played one season at Butler Community College in 2014 with 21 catches for 559 yards, five touchdowns, and two kick returns for 86 yards in 11 games for the Grizzlies.
Then, he transferred to Iowa Western Community College in 2015 with 19 catches for 434 yards, two touchdowns, one carry for 11 yards, and 21 kick returns for 480 yards in 12 games for the Reivers. Next, he transferred to Buffalo (2017-18) with 133 catches for 2,367 yards, 25 touchdowns, and one kick return for 13 yards in 25 games for the Bulls.
Cedric Wilcots II is six foot three and weighs 249 pounds. The 25-year-old from Dallas, Texas, was acquired in a trade with the Blue Bombers in 2022. He made two tackles in ten games for the Blue Bombers before the trade. In Hamilton, Wilcots made two tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble for the Ticats in 2022.
Collegiately, Wilcots played four seasons at New Mexico State (2016-19) with 109 tackles (49 solo, 60 assists), 29 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, four pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and one block on special teams. Wilcots is a one-time First-Team All-Sun Belt in 2017.
