Tiger-Cats re-sign five players
HAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Thursday the football club has re-signed five players, including two internationals – defensive tackle Bobby Richardson and offensive lineman Isame Faciane – as well as three nationals – defensive back Nicholas Parisotto, linebacker Dillon Grondin and wide receiver Mitch O’Connor.
Richardson, 26, played nine regular season games with the Tiger-Cats in 2018, recording six defensive tackles and two special teams tackles. Prior to playing in the Canadian Football League, Richardson spent time with the National Football League’s New York Giants (2017), Denver Broncos (2017), Kansas City Chiefs (2016), Washington Redskins (2016) and New Orleans Saints (2015-16), appearing in 15 games with 11 starts on the defensive line for the Saints in 2015, posting 40 combined tackles, a split sack, one interception and one pass knockdown. Before signing with New Orleans as an undrafted free agent in 2015, the 6-3, 286-pound native of Tampa, Florida appeared in 45 career games with at Indiana University (2011-14), making 27 starts at both defensive tackle and defensive end for the Hoosiers.
Faciane, 27, played and started one regular season game at right tackle with the Tiger-Cats in 2018. He also attended training camp with the Toronto Argonauts last season. The 6-4, 310-pound native of Slidell, Florida, previously spent time with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins (2017), Buffalo Bills (2016) and Minnesota Vikings (2014-16). He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by Vikings in 2014 and spent three seasons on the team’s practice roster where he converted from a defensive lineman to an offensive lineman. Faciane played 49 games with 29 starts at defensive tackle over four seasons (2010-13) at Florida International University, registering 122 tackles, 27 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, six pass deflections and two fumble recoveries for the Panthers. In 2013, Faciane was named an Honourable Mention All-Conference USA selection after posting a career-high 53 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks and one fumble recovery as a senior.
Parisotto, 23, played eight regular season games with the Tiger-Cats in 2018, recording three special teams tackles. Prior to turning pro, Parisotto played 30 games for the University of Guelph from 2014 to 2017. The 5-10, 199-pound Guelph, Ontario native registered 114 tackles and nine interceptions over his four seasons with the Gryphons. He was selected by the Tiger-Cats in the eighth round, 66th overall, in the 2018 CFL Draft.
Grondin, 26, played one regular season game with the Tiger-Cats in 2018. Over three CFL seasons with the Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders (2016-18), Grondin has played 16 regular season games, recording one defensive tackle and six special teams tackles. Before turning pro, the 6-1, 220-pound native of Sarnia, Ontario played five seasons with the Windsor AKO Fratmen in the Canadian Junior Football League.
O’Connor, 24, attended training camp with the Tiger-Cats and had two stints on the club’s practice roster in 2018. The 6-2, 195-pound native of Kingston, Ontario played in 27 career games with McMaster University from 2014 to 2017, registering 54 receptions for 734 yards and three touchdowns for the Marauders. O’Connor was a member of McMaster’s 2014 Yates Cup (OUA Championship) and Mitchell Bowl-winning team and also appeared in the U SPORTS East-West Bowl in 2017.
