The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have announced that they have re-signed National fullback Felix Garand-Gauthier to a two-year contract extension. Retaining Garand-Gauthier is essential because it helps the Tiger-Cats manage the Ratio Rule. Garand-Gauthier also is a valuable special teams contributor for the Tiger-Cats as well.

Garand-Gauthier is a 28-year-old, 6’1″, 225-pound native of Mirabel, Quebec. During the 2023 season, Garand-Gauthier played in 18 games, caught six passes for 54 yards, and added five special teams tackles. The Tiger-Cats selected Garand-Gauthier in the fifth round of the 2021 CFL Draft. Since 2021, Garand-Gauthier has played in 46 games, caught 15 passes for 244 yards, and recorded 21 special teams tackles.

Tiger-Cats Sign Three Additional American Skills Players

According to the CFL Transactions list, the Tiger-Cats have added three American skills players to their roster. Running back Calvin Tyler Jr. and wide receiver Shemar Bridges come to the Tiger-Cats after spending time with NFL teams. Defensive back Destin Talbert comes to Hamilton after helping North Dakota State win three NCAA FCS national championships in 2018, 2019, and 2021.

Calvin Tyler Jr. is a 5’8″, 210-pound native of Beaumont, Texas. Tyler Jr. played college football at Oregon State from 2017 until 2020 and at Utah State as a graduate transfer from 2021 until 2022. During his NCAA career, Tyler Jr. had 479 rushing attempts for 2,130 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns while playing in 39 games. He spent the 2023 season with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Shemar Bridges is a 6’4″, 208-pound wide receiver from Jacksonville, Florida. During his college career, he played at Tusculum College from 2017 until 2018, and he finished his college career at Fort Valley State from 2019 until 2021. While playing at Fort Valley State, he caught 92 passes for 1,358 yards and seven touchdowns. Bridges spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.

Destin Talbert is a 6’0, 187-pound native of Darien, Illinois. Talbert played college football at North Dakota State from 2018 until 2022. While playing for the Bison, he played in 67 games and recorded 144 tackles, three tackles for loss, four interceptions, including one for a touchdown, deflected 25 passes, and forced two fumbles. The New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears invited Talbert to their 2023 Rookie Mini-Camps.

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