The Hamilton Tiger-Cats re-signed linebacker Bailey Feltmate and defensive back Patrick Burke Jr. on Thursday. In addition, the Ticats signed wide receivers Jacob Patten, Chris Coleman, and Justin McGriff, defensive lineman Reece Martin, linebacker Dyton Blackett, and defensive back Robert Panabaker.
Jacob Patten is six foot and weighs 170 pounds. The 24-year-old from Hamilton, Ontario, played two seasons at the University of British Columbia (2018-19) with 51 catches for 751 yards, five touchdowns, one carry for 33 yards, one touchdown, seven kickoff returns for 64 yards, and 17 punt returns for 154 yards in 17 games for the Thunderbirds.
Next, Patten transferred to McMaster University in 2023 with eight catches for 96 yards and one touchdown in two games for the Marauders.
Chris Coleman is five foot eleven and weighs 192 pounds. The 24-year-old from Bakersfield, California, was on the Ticats practice squad in 2023. Before Hamilton, Coleman signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He played three preseason games with two catches for 17 yards.
Collegiately, Coleman played four seasons at Fresno State (2017-20) with 16 catches for 265 yards, one touchdown, two carries for three yards, and four kick returns for 69 yards in 25 games for the Bulldogs.
Then, Coleman transferred to Cal Pony (2021-22) with 48 catches for 702 yards, five touchdowns, one kick return for nine yards, and two punt returns for 16 yards in 11 games for the Mustangs. He was named the team’s Co-offensive Player of the Year in 2021.
Justin McGriff is six foot six and weighs 215 pounds. The 23-year-old from Tampa, Florida, attended the Ticats training camp in 2023 before suffering a season-ending injury. Before Hamilton, he caught 30 passes for 438 yards, and four touchdowns for the Utah State Aggies in 2022.
Collegiately, McGriff played one season at ASA Miami in 2018 with 25 catches for 360 yards and eight touchdowns in seven games for the Silver Storm. Then, McGriff transferred to Utah State (2020-22) with 80 catches for 1,037 yards, and 15 touchdowns in 33 games for the Aggies. His 1,037 yards became the 37th player in school history with 1,000 career receiving yards
Reece Martin is six foot five and weighs 285 pounds. The 23-year-old from Moncton, New Brunswick, made 21.5 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery in eight games for the Ticats in 2023. He started the season on the Ticats practice squad. Martin was drafted by the Ticats in the fourth round (31st pick) of the 2023 CFL Draft.
Martin played five seasons at Mount Allison (2018-19, 2021-23) with 89 tackles (63 solo, 52 assists), 24 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and six pass breakups in 29 games for the Mounties. He is a three-time Hardy Trophy winner (2018, 2021-22).
Bailey Feltmate is six foot two and weighs 240 pounds. The 25-year-old from Moncton, Alberta, made one tackle and 15 tackles on special teams in 16 games for the Ticats in 2023. The Ticats drafted Feltmate in the second round (17th pick) of the 2020 CFL Draft. In three seasons, Feltmate has four tackles and 35 tackles on special teams in 43 games.
Collegiately, Feltmate played five seasons at Acadia University (2016-20) with 203 tackles (152 solo, 102 assists), 14 tackles for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and five pass breakups in 31 games for the Axemen.
Dyton Blackett is six foot four and weighs 227 pounds. The 23-year-old from Canning, Nova Scotia, attended the Ticats training camp in 2023.
Blackett played four seasons at St. Francis Xavier (2018-19, 2021-23) with 85.5 tackles (67 solo, 37 assists), 8.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three interceptions for 41 yards, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and nine pass breakups in 30 games for the X-Men.
Patrick Burke Jr. is six foot two and weighs 195 pounds. The 23-year-old from Etobicoke, Ontario, made four tackles and eight tackles on special teams in 14 games for the Ticats in 2023.
Collegiately, Burke Jr. played three seasons at Wilfrid Laurier (2018-22) with 43.5 tackles (33 solo, 21 assists), two tackles for loss, half a sack, four interceptions for 94 yards, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 22 games for the Golden Hawks. He was named OUA Men’s Football Second-Team All-Star.
Robert Panabaker is six foot and weighs 190 pounds. The 24-year-old from London, Ontario, attended the Ticats training camp in 2023 before returning to Western Ontario. The Ticats drafted Panabaker in the fifth round (40th pick) of the 2023 CFL Draft.
Panabaker played five seasons at the University of Western Ontario (2018-19, 2021-23) with 112 tackles (69 solo, 43 assists), 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, eight interceptions for 116 yards, one touchdown, 23 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries in 36 games for the Mustangs. He helped the Mustangs win the 2021 Yates Cup and the 2022 Vanier Cup.
