The Hamilton Tiger-Cats released wide receiver Marcus Cooper, defensive linemen Marje Smith and Vonnie Watkins, linebacker Jimmy Phillips Jr., and defensive backs Maxwell Worship, Allie Green IV, and Avery Young. The Ticats also placed wide receivers Johnny King Justin McGriff, and Jason Lewan on the suspended list.
Marcus Cooper is five foot eight and weighs 185 pounds. The 25-year-old from Altair, Texas, signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2023. The Ticats signed Cooper as a free agent on February 20, 2024.
Collegiately, Cooper played four seasons at Southeastern Louisiana (2017-20) with 139 carries for 996 yards, six touchdowns, 62 catches for 633 yards, three touchdowns, 10 kick returns for 211 yards, and two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) in 30 games for the Lions. He was an All-Southland Conference Honorable Mention in 2017.
Then, he transferred to Incarnate Word (2021-22) with 311 carries for 2,016 yards, 20 touchdowns, 57 catches for 486 yards, three touchdowns, and six kick returns for 116 yards in 27 games for the Cardinals.
Marje Smith is six foot four and weighs 217 pounds. The 24-year-old Marshall, Texas, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on May 8, 2024.
Collegiately, Smith played one season at Baylor in 2018 playing three games recording no stats. Then, Smith transferred to Stephen F. Austin (2019-23) making 52 tackles (25 solo, 27 assists), 14 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, one interception, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries in 38 games for the Lumberjacks.
Vonnie Watkins is six foot four and weighs 238 pounds. The 24-year-old from Lusby, Maryland, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on May 4, 2024.
Collegiately, Watkins played five seasons at Ohio (2019-23) with 83 tackles (37 solo, 46 assists), 23 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and four forced fumbles in 33 games for the Bobcats. In 2023, Watkins made 33 tackles (15 solo, 18 assists), 8 tackles for loss, five sacks, and two forced fumbles in 13 games.
In high school, Watkins was awarded Maryland All-State Associated Press DE in his junior and senior seasons. He led Patuxent High School to a State Championship as a junior recording 278 tackles during his career including 60 tackles for loss and 19 sacks. In addition, he played tight end making 54 catches for 930 yards and eight touchdowns.
Jimmy Phillips Jr. is six foot one and weighs 232 pounds. The 24-year-old from Mesquite, Texas, made 15 tackles (12 solo, 3 assists), two pass breakups, and one quarterback hit in three preseason games for the Green Bay Packers in 2023. The Packers signed Phillips Jr. as an undrafted free agent in 2023. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Phillips Jr. on January 30, 2024.
Collegiately, Phillips Jr. played five seasons at SMU (2018-22) with 179 tackles (117 solo, 62 assists), 15.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, nine pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick in 59 games for the Mustangs.
Maxwell Worship is six foot one and weighs 210 pounds. The 24-year-old from Coral Springs, Florida, participated in a rookie minicamp with the Tennessee Titans in 2023. Then, Worship signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as a free agent on December 7, 2023.
Collegiately, Worship played five seasons at Vanderbilt (2018-22) with 153 tackles (100 solo, 53 assists), 4.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, eight pass breakups, two interceptions, and one punt return for 29 yards in 54 games for the Commodores.
Allie Green IV is six foot three and weighs 203 pounds. The 26-year-old from Austin, Texas, signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2022. Then, Green IV was drafted by the St. Louis Battlehawks (XFL) in the first round (6th pick) in Phase 6 of the 2023 XFL Open Draft. However, Green IV dealt with a shoulder injury and was released on February 9, 2023. The Ticats signed Green IV on April 11, 2024.
Collegiately, Green IV played four seasons at Tulsa (2017-20) with 116 tackles (77 solo, 39 assists), five tackles for loss, 14 pass breakups, one interception for 14 yards, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 36 games for the Golden Hurricanes. Then, Green IV transferred to Missouri in 2021 with 30 tackles (24 solo, 6 assists), and four pass breakups in 12 games for the Tigers.
Avery Young is six foot and weighs 198 pounds. The 24-year-old from Coatesville, Pennsylvania, made three tackles (1 solo, 2 assists) in three preseason games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023. The Buccaneers signed Young as a free agent on August 7, 2023. Before Tampa Bay, Young signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Collegiately, Young played five seasons at Rutgers (2018-22) with 326 tackles (169 solo, 157 assists), 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, three interceptions for 31 yards, 26 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, three kick returns for 51 yards, and 35 punt returns for 146 yards in 57 games for the Scarlet Knights.
In 2022, Young made 84 tackles (46 solo, 38 assists), two tackles for loss, one sack, one interception for 15 yards, five pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 12 games. Young was a two-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and All-ECAC Defense in 2022.
