CFL.ca
HAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Wednesday that the football club has signed six free agents, including national defensive lineman Ben D’Aguilar, national linebackers Frank Renaud and Akeem Whonder, national defensive back Tristan Doughlin, international wide receiver/kick returner Willie Quinn and national wide receiver Mitchell Baines.
D’Aguilar, 27, appeared in 53 regular season CFL games with the Calgary Stampeders from 2013 to 2017, registering five defensive tackles, 36 special teams tackles, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. The 6-2, 235-pound native of Hamilton, Ontario, was a second-round pick of the Stampeders in the 2013 CFL Draft out of McMaster University. He won the J.P. Metras Trophy as the top lineman in Canadian University football with the Marauders in 2012, and was named all-Canadian the same year after setting a CIS single-season record with 12.5 sacks. D’Aguilar was also part of McMaster’s Vanier Cup championship season in 2011.
Renaud, 24, recorded four special teams tackles in six games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this season before being released on September 5. The 6-0, 220-pound linebacker was originally selected by Winnipeg in the eighth round, 63rd overall, in the 2016 CFL Draft. Renaud, a native of Windsor, Ontario, played four seasons at the University of Windsor, recording 180 total tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two interceptions, 10 pass breakups, 11 forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 32 games.
Whonder, 28, attended mini-camp with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this season before being released on May 1. The 5-11, 224-pound linebacker also spent time in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts (2015-16) and Calgary Stampeders (2014). The native of Mississauga, Ontario, played in 37 career collegiate games over five seasons for the Windsor Lancers, registering 175 defensive tackles, eight quarterback sacks, one interception, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Doughlin, 23, attended training camp with the Tiger-Cats earlier this season and spent two weeks on the team’s practice roster in July. The 6-0, 185-pound native of Toronto, Ontario, also attended training camp with the Montreal Alouettes in 2016 before returning to Guelph University. In four seasons with the Gryphons (2013-16), Doughlin played 26 games and recorded 133 total tackles, 11 interceptions, 14 pass break ups and one quarterback sack. He participated in the CIS East-West game and was named an OUA second team all-star in 2015, and earned OUA first team all-star honours in 2014.
Quinn, 23, attended minicamp with the National Football League’s Chicago Bears (May) and New York Jets (June) earlier this year. The 5-5, 152-pound native of Miami, Florida, spent three years at Southern University and A&M College (2014-16), registering 231 receptions for 3,192 yards and 26 touchdowns, and adding 14 carries for 34 yards and a rushing touchdown. Quinn also served as the team’s primary kick returner, accumulating 2,415 yards and six touchdowns on 88 kick returns (27.4 average), and 579 yards and four touchdowns on 35 punt returns (16.5 average). The versatile receiver also completed four of five passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns throughout his collegiate career.
Baines, 25, signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on February 27, 2017, and attended training camp before being released on June 15. The 6-2, 215-pound native of Ottawa, Ontario, spent five seasons at the University of Ottawa (2012-16) before turning pro. He played 29 career collegiate games with the Gee-Gees, registering 125 receptions for 1,889 yards and 16 touchdowns. In 2016, Baines was named a Second Team U Sports All-Canadian and First Team OUA All-Star after leading the nation with 65 receptions and 984 yards – averaging 123 yards per game – while ranking third with eight touchdown catches.
The Tiger-Cats also announced the following four players have been added to the six-game injured list:
NAT – WR – Giovanni Aprile
INT – DB – Dominique Ellis
NAT – RB – Sean Thomas Erlington
NAT – RB – Mercer Timmis
