Gerry Marentette
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats added eight players in Tuesday night’s CFL Draft, including seven on the defensive side of the ball.
FIRST ROUND / 2nd OVERALL
Devin Veresuk / Linebacker / Windsor
The 6-3, 230-pound native of Windsor is a two-time OUA Second Team All-Star and 2024 East-West Bowl participant. Last season, he registered 74 tackles (39 solo), five tackles for loss, two quarterback sacks and two passes defended in nine games with the Lancers. Over the course of his U Sports career, Veresuk collected 199 total tackles, 11 quarterback sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one interception
SECOND ROUND / 9th OVERALL
Isaiah Bagnah / Defensive End / BYU
Bagnah spent the last two seasons at Brigham Young University, recording 52 tackles (24 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks in 25 games (15 starts). Prior to his time at BYU, the 6-4, 245-pound native of Lethbridge, Alberta played four seasons (2019-22) at Boise State, where he racked up 59 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 10 quarterback sacks.
THIRD ROUND / 21st OVERALL
Arvin Hosseini / Offensive Lineman / UBC
Hosseini, a 6-5, 300-pound North Vancouver native, was a 2024 Canada West All-Star and helped the Thunderbirds capture a Hardy Cup and Mitchell Bowl championship in 2023. He has suited up for 27 games (16 starts) over the course of his four-year U Sports career.
THIRD ROUND / 28th OVERALL
Mack Bannatyne / Defensive Back / Alberta
The 6-0, 190-pound Calgary native earned U Sports Second-Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star recognition last year after recording 37 tackles (33 solo), one tackle for loss, two fumble recoveries and one interception. He has played the last two seasons at Alberta (2023-24) after two years at York (2021-22).
FOURTH ROUND / 36th OVERALL
Ty Anderson / Defensive Lineman / Alberta
Anderson was a 2024 Canada West All-Star after amassing 21 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery with Alberta last year. The 6-3, 290-pound Calgary native also suited up in the 2024 East-West Bowl.
This selection was acquired in a trade earlier today with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers that also brought Hamilton native Kyle Samson to his hometown.
SIXTH ROUND / 48th OVERALL
Ronan Horrall / Defensive Back / UBC
The 6-2, 190-pound UBC product suited up in five games for the Thunderbirds in 2024, making 13.5 tackles (nine solo), one tackle for loss, one quarterback sack and one forced fumble.
SEVENTH ROUND / 57th OVERALL
Jake Nitychoruk / Defensive Back / Manitoba
Nitychoruk, a 6-4, 210-pound defensive back from Winnipeg has collected 54 total tackles (45 solo), seven passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one tackle for loss and one blocked kick in 27 games over four seasons (2021-24) with the Bisons.
EIGHTH ROUND / 66th OVERALL
Nate Martey / Defensive Tackle / Arkansas State
The Tiger-Cats used their final selection of the draft on the Ottawa native, who has totaled 64 tackles (26 solo), 10.5 tackles for loss and six quarterback sacks in his last two seasons at Arkansas State.
