The Hamilton Tiger-Cats released defensive lineman Kelle Sanders and defensive back Dexter Lawson Jr. on Wednesday.
Kelle Sanders is six foot four and weighs 246 pounds. The 25-year-old from Lacey, Washington, made 8 tackles (4 solo, 4 assists) in three preseason games for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023. The Ravens signed Sanders as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Sanders signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on January 30, 2024. He played in two preseason games making two tackles and earning himself a spot on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Sanders played one season at Snow College in 2017 with five tackles (2 solo, 3 assists) and one fumble recovery in six games for the Badgers. Next, he transferred to Independence Community College in 2018 with 19 tackles (8 solo, 11 assists) and three tackles for loss in six games for the Pirates.
Then, Sanders transferred to the University of Alabama-Birmingham (2020-22) with 69 tackles (27 solo, 42 assists), 9.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 29 games for the Blazers.
Dexter Lawson Jr. is five foot ten and weighs 190 pounds. The 24-year-old from Bloomfield, Connecticut, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on May 3, 2023. He played nine games that season making 29 tackles, one tackle on special teams, and one interception. In 2024, Lawson Jr. made 16 tackles and one tackle on special teams in four games.
Collegiately, Lawson Jr. played four seasons at Central Connecticut State (2018-21) with 74 tackles (45 solo, 29 assists), six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, eight interceptions for 85 yards, 13 pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 29 games for the Blue Devils.
Lawson Jr. was named a Hero Sports First-Team Sophomore All-America honoree in 2019 after making 31 tackles (18 solo, 13 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, six interceptions for 75 yards, five pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 13 games.
Then, Lawson Jr. transferred to Appalachian State in 2022 with 26 tackles (6 solo, 20 assists), one tackle for loss, three interceptions for one yard, eight pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 12 games, of which ten were starts for the Mountaineers.
