While the 2026 CFL draft is coming up quickly at the end of April, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats continue to work to add as much depth as possible to critical positions. Historically, attrition during the long CFL season has been a limiting factor for teams like the Tiger-Cats, which are working to get over the hump from last season and win a Grey Cup. Two position groups that consistently are hit hard by injuries throughout the season are wide receivers and linebackers.
Therefore, Hamilton is always looking to add more depth at both positions. In addition, players in both of these position groups tend to be contributors on special teams during the season. So, it is not surprising that Hamilton’s latest signings include a linebacker and a wide receiver who both bring versatility to the Tiger-Cats roster.
According to a Hamilton Tiger-Cats press release and the CFL Transactions list, Hamilton has signed American LB Jayden McDonald and American WR Jaelen Gill.
Jayden McDonald is a 6’0″, 235-pound linebacker whose college football career began at the University of Iowa in 2018. After limited playing time as a freshman, he transferred to Troy University in 2019, where he played for five seasons (2019-2023), appearing in 35 games with 99 solo tackles, 92 assists, 3.0 quarterback sacks, and 1 interception. In 2024, McDonald completed his college eligibility at the University of Connecticut, playing 13 games and recording 51 solo tackles, 74 assists, 3.5 quarterback sacks, and 1 interception.
During college, McDonald built a reputation as a high-volume run defender. Despite being off the ball, he also showed strong pass-rush skills as a blitzer. He displays outstanding sideline-to-sideline range and is a resilient competitor.
Jaelen Gill is a 6’0″, 185-pound wide receiver who has primarily played slot after starting his college football career as a running back. While playing college football, Gill played for Ohio State (2018-2019), Boston College (2020-2022), and Fresno State (2023), and he spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2024 NFL season. As a Buckeye, Gill played in only 8 games and caught 7 passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. After transferring to Boston College, Gill played in 32 more games, catching 80 passes for 1,072 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns. Gill finished his college football career, playing 13 games for the Fresno State Bulldogs, where he caught 50 passes for 525 yards and scored 6 touchdowns.
Gill has carved out a niche as a slot receiver. Earlier, he played running back and H-back. These experiences made Gill a versatile contributor on offense and special teams. Gill also has outstanding burst and acceleration, and can make tacklers miss in space.
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