October 18, 2016

Eskimos sign wide receiver Vidal Hazelton

David Chidley/CFL.ca

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Eskimos have signed free agent international wide receiver Vidal Hazelton, the club announced Tuesday.

Hazelton, a native of New York, began his CFL career in 2015 with the Toronto Argonauts and was the East Division finalist for CFL Rookie of the Year.

In the last two seasons with the Argos, Hazelton recorded a combined 97 receptions for 1,164 yards and nine touchdowns in 24 regular season games.

The 6-foot-3, 212-pound wide out was released by the Argos earlier this month, along with receivers Kevin Elliott and Tori Gurley.

Prior to playing in the CFL, Hazelton played at the University of Southern California (2006-08) and the University of Cincinnati (2010), recording 63 receptions for 649 yards and four touchdowns in 33 games. He then went on to spend time with the NFL’s San Diego Chargers (2011), Cincinnati Bengals (2011-12), Tennessee Titans (2012) and New York Jets (2013).

Since Hazelton was released by the Argos before the trade deadline, he is eligible to play for the Esks this season. Edmonton takes on the BC Lions in Week 18 in a fight for position in the West.