The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed linebacker Enock Makonzo and defensive back Lawrence Woods III on Monday.
Enock Makonzo is five foot eleven and weighs 195 pounds. The 27-year-old from Lachine, Quebec, made 11 tackles and one forced fumble in five games for the Edmonton Elks in 2023. The Elks drafted Makonzo in the first round (4th pick) in the 2022 CFL Draft. In 2022, Makonzo made 56 tackles, one tackle on special teams, two sacks, and one forced fumble in 16 games.
Collegiately, Makonzo played two seasons at New Mexico Military Institute (2017-18) making 105 tackles (58 solo, 47 assists), 14.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble, one interception, and one pass breakup in 18 games for the Broncos.
Then, he transferred to Coastal Carolina (2019-21) with 150 tackles (79 solo, 71 assists), 21.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup, five forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 27 games for the Chanticleers. He was a two-time All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention and Third Team All-Sun Belt Conference by Phil Steele in 2020.
Lawrence Woods III is five foot nine and weighs 180 pounds. The 26-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri, signed with the B.C. Lions on December 7, 2023, but the Lions released him on May 2, 2024. In 2023, Woods III had 14 kickoff returns for 277 yards, 20 tackles, and two tackles on special teams in seven games for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Before Hamilton, the New Orleans Saints signed Woods as an undrafted free agent on May 14, 2021. Then, the Ticats signed Woods as a free agent on April 21, 2022. In 2022, Woods had 43 kickoff returns for 990 yards, one touchdown, three tackles, and nine tackles on special teams in 14 games.
Collegiately, Woods played four seasons at Truman State University (2016-19) with 79 tackles (49 solo, 30 assists), three tackles for loss, two sacks, five interceptions for 67 yards, one touchdown, 27 pass breakups, one forced fumble, one blocked punt, 18 kick returns for 869 yards, five touchdowns, six punt returns for 52 yards, one catch for nine yards, and two carries for 33 yards in 25 games for the Bulldogs. He was named Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2018.
