The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are set to sign wide receiver Kenny Lawler and offensive lineman Liam Dobson once free agency starts next Tuesday according to TSN reporters Farhan Lalji and Dave Naylor.
Kenny Lawler is six foot three and weighs 197 pounds. The 30-year-old from Pomona, California, made 41 catches for 662 yards, and four touchdowns in 10 games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2024. He missed most of the season with a fractured arm.
The Seattle Seahawks drafted Lawler in the seventh round (243rd pick) in the 2016 NFL Draft. He made 11 catches for 128 yards, and two touchdowns in eight preseason games. The Seahawks released him on September 17, 2018. Next, Lawler signed with the B.C. Lions on May 9, 2018, but was released on June 9, 2018.
Then, Lawler signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on September 17, 2018, and spent the season on the practice squad. He played two seasons in Winnipeg making 107 catches for 1,651 yards, ten touchdowns, and one carry for eight yards in 29 games. Lawler helped the Blue Bombers win two Grey Cup titles in 2019 and 2021. He is a two-time CFL West All-Star (2021-22) and a CFL All-Star (2021).
The Edmonton Elks signed Lawler on February 8, 2022. He made 58 catches for 894 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games. Lawler signed a two-year deal with the Blue Bombers on February 15, 2023. In 2023, Lawler made 50 catches for 901 yards, and six touchdowns in 12 games for the Blue Bombers.
Collegiately, Lawler played three seasons at California (2013-15) making 143 catches for 1,706 yards, 27 touchdowns, one carry for five yards, and three tackles (2 solos, 1 assist) in 36 games for the Bears.
Liam Dobson is six foot three and weighs 340 pounds. The 26-year-old from Ottawa, Ontario, started 18 games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2024 helping them reach their fifth consecutive Grey Cup.
In 2024, he started 18 games. Winnipeg’s offense ranked eighth in average points (23.2), sixth in average net offense (358.5), third in average rushing yards (111.7), eighth in average passing yards (260.2), ninth in passing touchdowns (18), and fifth in sacks allowed (36). He was named a CFL West All-Star in 2024.
Dobson attended the New Orleans Saints and the Chicago Bears rookie minicamps in 2022. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers drafted Dobson in the first round (3rd pick) of the 2021 CFL Draft. In 2022, he started 16 games.
In 2023, he started 18 games. In 2023, Winnipeg’s offense ranked first in total points (594), average points per game (31.7), offensive touchdowns (62), average net offense per game (414.7), average rushing yards per game (139.1), second in offensive touchdowns (65), average passing yards per game (292.4), and sacks allowed (33).
Collegiately, Dobson played four seasons at the University of Maine (2017-20) playing 32 games for the Black Bears. He had one carry for one yard and two tackles (2 solos).
In 2019, Maine averaged 29.33 points per game, 128.8 rushing yards per game, 296.50 passing yards per game, 425.3 total yards per game, 44 touchdowns, and allowed 30 sacks finishing 6-6 for the season. He was named Second Team All-CAA, First Team All-CAA, and Third Team All-American by STATS.
Then, he transferred to Texas State in 2021 starting ten games for the Bobcats. In 2021, Texas State averaged 23.08 points per game, 149.2 rushing yards per game, 193.08 passing yards per game, 342.3 total yards per game, 33 touchdowns, and allowed 25 sacks finishing 4-8 for the season.
