The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Wednesday, the football club has signed five players including Americans running back Devontae Dean, offensive lineman Jordan Boatman, placekicker Ethan Ratke, national offensive lineman Ben Koczwara and global linebacker Penei Pavihi.
Dean, 24, most recently played 10 games in his lone season at Arkansas State University (2022), registering 116 carries for 750 yards with three rushing touchdowns. The 6-0, 225-pound native of West Memphis, Arkansas began his collegiate at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where he played 24 games over three seasons (2018-21), registering 336 carries for 1,384 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Boatman, 23, most recently seven games in his lone season at Sam Houston State University (2022). The 6’6, 310-pound native of The Woodlands, Texas began his football career at the University of Houston where he played 26 games over four seasons (2018-21), where he spent most of his time at right tackle.
Ratke, 25, played 58 games over five seasons at James Madison University (2017-21), converting 101 of 117 field goal attempts (86.3%), with a career long of 48 yards. The 5’10, 186-pound native of Mechanicsville, Virginia is the NCAA all-time leader in career field goals (101) and scoring by a kicker (542).
Koczwara, 26, most recently spent time with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2019, ‘22) and the Toronto Argonauts (2021). The 6’3, 305-pound native of London, Ontario played 36 games over five seasons at the University of Waterloo (2014-19). Koczwara also spent time on his alma mater’s coaching staff in 2019 and 2021.
Pavihi, 24, was selected by the Tiger-Cats in the first round, fourth overall in the 2023 CFL Global Draft. The 6’3, 245-pound native of Tafuna, American Samoa played 60 games over five seasons at the University of Hawai’i (2017-22), registering 233 total tackles with 20 tackles for loss, six pass deflections, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, six pass deflections and two interceptions. He posted a career high 10 tackles on October 8, 2022 at San Diego State.
The football club also announced the following players have been released:
AME – WR – Bralon Addison
NAT – FB – Jake Burt
NAT – DB – Zach Herzog
