The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed running back Calvin Tyler Jr., wide receiver Shemar Bridges, and defensive back Destin Talbert on Monday.
Calvin Tyler Jr. is five foot eight and weighs 208 pounds. The 25-year-old from Beaumont, Texas, had four carries for 16 yards in three preseason games for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023. The Bengals signed Tyler Jr. as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Collegiately, Tyler Jr. played three seasons at Oregon State (2017-20) with 30 carries for 124 yards, two touchdowns, three catches for 24 yards, one touchdown, and nine kick returns for 182 yards in 14 games for the Beavers. Then, he transferred to Utah State (2021-22) with 449 carries for 2,006 yards, 14 touchdowns, 26 catches for 179 yards, and one touchdown in 25 games for the Aggies. He was named Second Team All-Mountain West Conference in 2022.
Shemar Bridges is six foot four and weighs 208 pounds. The 26-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, played two preseason games for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 and was targeted one time recording no stats. The Ravens signed Bridges as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He made six catches for 78 yards, and one touchdown in three preseason games and was later placed on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Bridges played two seasons at Tusculum College (2017-18) with one catch for nine yards in six games for the Pioneers. Then, he transferred to Fort Valley State (2019-21) with 92 catches for 1,358 yards, seven touchdowns, one carry for five yards, and two tackles (2 solo) in 16 games for the Wildcats.
Destin Talbert is six foot and weighs 186 pounds. The 24-year-old from Darien, Illinois, had signed a letter of intent to play for the Seattle Sea Dragons (XFL) in 2023 but the XFL and USFL merged into the UFL with Seattle not making the cut which made him a free agent. In 2023, Talbert attended two rookie minicamps with the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints before he was drafted by the Seattle Sea Dragons in the 2023 XFL Rookie Draft.
Collegiately, Talbert played five seasons at North Dakota State (2018-22) with 144 tackles (104 solo, 40 assists), three tackles for loss, four interceptions for 39 yards, 25 pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 67 games for the Bisons. During his time at North Dakota State, the Bisons won three FCS National Championships.
