Since the early days of Scott Milanovich’s era as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats head coach, Milanovich has looked for quality tight ends to provide heavier looks to the Hamilton running game. While Milanovich has found a few tight ends each season, it is a hard decision to take up a limited roster spot for a player who will be used only in specific formations and situations. Solutions to that problem are to find a tight end who is dynamic enough to fill in as a wide receiver, which is hard to find in the CFL, or to pick up a tight end who does not occupy one of the limited roster spots.

According to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the CFL Transactions list, Hamilton has signed Global tight end Maximilian Mang. With Mang being designated as a Global player, he can be added to the roster or kept on the practice squad roster with minimal effect on the rest of Hamilton’s roster. Currently, every CFL team is required to have at least one Global player on their active roster, but it can have two, and one counts as an American roster spot. The bigger advantage is that CFL teams can keep up to three Global players on their practice squad as bonus spots. Therefore, the Tiger-Cats can hold onto Mang and help him develop so he can eventually fill a regular role with Hamilton.

Maximilian Mang, a 6’6″, 263-pound tight end from Germany, is designated as a Global player by the CFL. Mang played college football in the NCAA Power 4 at Syracuse University from 2020 to 2024. For the Orange, he established himself as a blocking tight end in 59 games. He also caught 9 passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. In the 2025 NFL season, Mang spent time on the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.

As a blocking tight end, Mang is an extension of the offensive line. With a 6’6″, 260-pound frame, the German tight end has the size of an elite blocker in the NFL and CFL. Mang is known as a technically sound and exceptionally physical blocker. On the Tiger-Cats, his primary expectation will be to serve as a situational blocker, providing support on running downs and short-yardage plays, where his physicality and technique can give the offense an edge. His high football IQ and NFL experience should help him adjust quickly to this specialized role.

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