The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed wide receiver Cephus Johnson III and defensive lineman Spencer Waege on Wednesday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Cephus Johnson III is six foot five and weighs 220 pounds. The 25-year-old from Mobile, Alabama, signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. The Vikings released him on August 7, 2023. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Johnson III on August 12, 2023. In 2023, he appeared in two preseason games recording no stats.
Johnson III spent the 2023 season on the practice squad. In 2024, he played in three preseason games recording no stats. The Buccaneers released him on August 27, 2024.
Collegiately, Johnson III played three seasons at South Alabama (2017-19) as a quarterback completing 90 of 180 passes (50%) for 1,020 yards, 8 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 103 carries for 243 yards, and four touchdowns in 16 games for the Jaguars.
Then, he transferred to Southeastern Louisiana (2020-22) as a backup quarterback and wide receiver. He completed 124 of 195 passes (64%) for 1,449 yards, 11 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 138 carries for 797 yards, 8 touchdowns, and three catches for 22 yards in 25 games for the Lions.
Spencer Waege is six foot five and weighs 295 pounds. The 25-year-old from South Shore, South Dakota, signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. In 2023, Waege made one tackle (1 assist) and one pass breakup in three preseason games.
The 49ers released him on May 8, 2024. The Green Bay Packers acquired Waege via waivers on May 9, 2024. In 2024, he made three tackles (1 solo, 2 assists) and one sack in two preseason games. The Packers released him on August 27, 2024.
Collegiately, Waege played five seasons at North Dakota State (2018-22) making 138 tackles (64 solos, 74 assists), 42 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, four pass breakups, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two blocked kicks, and one kick return for 8 yards in 57 games for the Bisons. He was named a two-time First Team All-MVFC and a two-time All-American. He is tied for sixth in NDSU history in tackles for loss (42).
