Official: Hamilton Tiger-Cats sign former Redblacks DL Kene Onyeka

Photo courtesy: Ottawa Redblacks

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have officially signed Canadian defensive lineman Kene Onyeka. 3DownNation reported the agreement during the negotiation window.

Onyeka played 15 games for the Ottawa Redblacks in 2025, recording one defensive tackle and 11 special teams tackles.

The 29-year-old was originally a fourth-round pick, 29th overall, in the 2018 CFL Draft, and has spent his entire CFL career in Ottawa. Through 81 career games, he is credited with 55 defensive tackles, 55 special teams tackles, 11 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

The six-foot-three, 244-pound pass rusher attended Carleton University, where he was twice named a first-team U Sports All-Canadian during his collegiate career.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, but raised in Brampton, Ont., Onyeka is the younger brother of current Calgary Stampeders defensive back Godfrey Onyeka. His three cousins — Nakas, Kosi, and Ifenna — all spent time in the CFL as well.

The Tiger-Cats have recently invested draft capital in the defensive end position, selecting Isaiah Bagnah and Luke Brubacher in the first two rounds in each of the past two years. Owen Hubert, a former Winnipeg draft pick with starting experience, was brought over last season by the late general manager Ted Goveia.

Pending CFL free agents were able to communicate with teams around the league from February 1 to 8, during which time contracts could be negotiated and agreed upon but not signed. Starting Tuesday, February 10, at noon EST, players can officially change teams.

Hamilton finished first in the East Division standings in 2025 with an 11-7 record. Bo Levi Mitchell led the CFL with 5,296 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions after starting all 18 regular-season games, earning the East Division’s nomination for Most Outstanding Player.

The Tiger-Cats ranked third in net offence, eighth in net defence, and first with a turnover differential of plus-ten. The team’s leading rusher was Greg Bell with 1,038 yards, the leading receiver was Kenny Lawler with 1,443 yards, and the leading tackler was Stavros Katsantonis with 69 tackles. Hamilton ranked fourth in attendance with average crowds of 22,858, which was a 3.9 percent increase from the previous year.