9:35 a.m. EST — If you’re not already, be sure to follow our Instagram page. It’s growing fast and we’ve got slick graphics with all the latest news over there.

9:22 a.m. EST — Tre Ford recently told 3DownNation why he chose the Hamilton Tiger-Cats after being released by the Edmonton Elks. Check out the full podcast episode here.

9:05 a.m. EST — Justin Dunk, John Hodge, and JC Abbott analyzed all the CFL’s reported signings and more on the latest edition of the 3DownNation Podcast. Check out the episode here and don’t forget to subscribe on your favourite podcast provider.

8:44 a.m. EST — Many of 3DownNation‘s top 50 pending free agents still do not have agreements for 2026, including Kurleigh Gittens Jr., Dominique Rhymes, McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Jovan Santos-Knox, Anthony Lanier II, Joshua Coker, William Stanback, Sean McEwen, Dalton Schoen, Lorenzo Mauldin IV, and C.J. Avery.

8:23 a.m. EST — Follow our news breakers Justin Dunk, John Hodge, and JC Abbott on Twitter/X and Bluesky so you don’t miss anything all day long.

8:03 a.m. EST — It’s time for the first coffee of the day. Never underestimate the importance of coffee during CFL free agency.

8:00 a.m. EST — Pending free agents were able to negotiate with teams across the CFL during the “legal tampering” window from February 1 to 8. Many agreements were reached during this time, though they can’t become official until free agency opens on Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. EST.

Offensive players with agreements in place include Jake Maier (Ottawa), Taylor Powell (Edmonton), Dustin Crum (Montreal), Greg Bell (Ottawa), Dejon Brissett (Calgary), Joe Robustelli (Edmonton), Tommy Nield (Winnipeg), Ayden Eberhardt (Ottawa), Jerreth Sterns (Montreal), Brendan O’Leary-Orange (Edmonton), Tyson Middlemost (Hamilton), Jarell Broxton (Winnipeg), Coulter Woodmansey (Edmonton), Jordan Murray (Edmonton), Brendan Bordner (Edmonton), and Eric Lofton (Hamilton).

Defensive players with agreements in place include Dylan Wynn (Ottawa), Malik Carney (Edmonton), Habakkuk Baldonado (Ottawa), James Vaughters (Saskatchewan), Jonathan Kongbo (Toronto), Kene Onyeka (Hamilton), A.J. Allen (Ottawa), Brian Cole II (Ottawa), Michael Brodrique (Ottawa), C.J. Reavis (Ottawa), Jonathan Moxey (Winnipeg), DaShaun Amos (Toronto), Demerio Houston (Ottawa), Devodric Bynum (Calgary), Scott Hutter (Ottawa), and Robert Priester (Toronto).

Some players entered free agency earlier and have already officially signed with new teams. These include Darnell Sankey (B.C.), Chris Kolankowski (Hamilton), Casey Sayles (B.C.), Adarius Pickett (Toronto), Peyton Logan (Toronto), DeWayne Hendrix (Toronto), Dakoda Shepley (Toronto), Tim White (Winnipeg), Austin Mack (Edmonton), DeVonte Dedmon (Montreal), Tre Ford (Hamilton), Deonta McMahon (Calgary), Jake Ceresna (Winnipeg), Josh Woods (Saskatchewan), Wynton McManis (Hamilton), and James Letcher Jr. (Saskatchewan).

Welcome to the 3DownNation 2026 CFL free agency live blog!

We will be around all day to provide the latest news, insight, analysis, and rumours surrounding CFL free agency. We’ve done many live blogs in the past and we’re excited you’ve chosen to join us for this year’s edition. There’s lots of fun to be had over the day, so let’s get rocking.

The post 2026 CFL free agency: LIVE appeared first on 3DownNation.

“There’s something that needs more and something to get over the hump. Me and my career, what I think that I can do and the way that I feel to continue to chase greatness, build on things that I’ve done, I feel like Hamilton was the perfect spot,” McManis said.

“Let’s bring a Grey Cup here. Hamilton hasn’t won a Grey Cup recently. I want to be a part of something great, I sense there’s something great that’s brewing here and greatness attracts one another.”

The 31-year-old McManis links back up with former Calgary Stampeders teammate Bo Levi Mitchell. The star linebacker won a Grey Cup with Mitchell in 2018 and the pair plan to be driving forces as the Ticats try to end the longest championship drought in the Canadian Football League, which sits at 25 seasons.

“A lot of love for Bo, a lot of love for what he’s done for the league, a lot of love for what he’s done, even while we were teammates back then. He’s still the same guy that I met seven years ago,” McManis said.

The 35-year-old Mitchell led Hamilton to an 11-7 record last year, clinched first place and hosted the East Final but lost to the Montreal Alouettes on home turf. McManis believes the Tabbies can contend for a Grey Cup. He saw it up-close as the Toronto Argonauts lost the season series with their arch rivals two games to one last year.

“You’re not going to put yourself in a situation to where you think it needs a lot of work and it’s missing a lot. I don’t think the defence was missing very much. That’s why I came to actually add to that and we can bring some excitement, score some points — let’s score points on defence — complimentary football, let’s help the offence out,” McManis said.

“Talking on the phone with Petey, Jamal Peters, some of my players, some short conversations with Bo, understanding that these guys have the same passion that I do. They’re in the same point in their careers that I’m at where everybody’s at this point to where, let’s win, let’s get this done.”

McManis admitted leaving the Argos had been on his mind for a “little bit.” He won two Grey Cups with the Boatmen one in 2022 and the other in 2024, although the six-foot, 220-pounder defender felt Toronto had become too comfortable for him, not in a negative way, but change was needed to provide renewed energy to focus towards his stated goal: chasing greatness.

“We understand what it takes, what it means to be a champion, what it means to be great. I want to put myself around people like that. Making the decision wasn’t easy, but it was something I felt that I needed to do, honestly speaking. I felt like it was something that was needed for me,” McManis said.

Changing from double blue to black and gold definitely feels different for McManis but it’s not completely new to him. He grew up a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and wanted to wear those colours. That’s happened in Canada’s Steel City as the two-time CFL all-star will sport his familiar No. 48. Despite the rivalry with the Argonauts, there’s no extra incentive to play the Double Blue.

“I don’t think Toronto should be the only team in the league that’s worried about what’s coming,” McManis said confidently.

Even though McManis has a new team, there’s not a major move for his family, which would usually coming along with joining a new professional franchise. His wife was “all-in” on the idea and his son’s already saying Tiger-Cats instead of Argos. The family has a house and lives in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area.

“To not have to move your family, that’s big. It’s not far from here. We won’t have to drive far. Shorter than the drive to Toronto. It happened to be a plus, something that was thought about on the back end that contributed, but that was not my main reason to come here,” McManis said.

That main reason was to be the reason the Tiger-Cats win a Grey Cup for the first time in a quarter-century.

The post Wynton McManis believes he can help Hamilton Tiger-Cats get over Grey Cup ‘hump’ appeared first on 3DownNation.

The 25-year-old began his collegiate career at the University of Notre Dame (2019-21), appearing in 14 games for the Fighting Irish. The six-foot-six, 315-pound blocker later transferred to the University of Minnesota (2022-24), where he started 39 consecutive games and saw action at right tackle, right guard and left tackle.

Carroll was named an All-Big Ten honourable mention selection (2022-24) on three occasions and participated in the 2025 Hula Bowl all-star game. However, the Edina, Minn., native went unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft and did not sign a free agent contract.

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.

The post Hamilton Tiger-Cats add Minnesota standout Quinn Carroll appeared first on 3DownNation.

“Teams reached out to my agent. I had phone calls with some GMs and some head coaches, I thought they were pretty good phone calls, they were pretty productive, but I  knew I wanted Hamilton to work out location-wise. Get the opportunity to work with (head coach) Scott (Milanovich) and Bo (Levi Mitchell). It was an ideal situation,” Ford told 3DownNation.

Location was important to Ford because he’s a Niagara Falls native and played U Sports football at the University of Waterloo. Hamilton sits slightly closer to his alma mater than his hometown but both are around an hour drive away. His wife, Anika, hails from Sudbury, Ont., which means the Ford family, which includes two young daughters, can be in Ontario full-time.

“Talked a little bit to Montreal as well as B.C., and [Hamilton] were the top three. I was really intrigued by B.C., they have an amazing coaching staff, and the talent level on their team is phenomenal, but the toughest part about B.C. is they have Nathan Rourke, who is a young and super productive quarterback,” Ford said.

“The opportunity to play in the future didn’t look great over there, unless Nathan went to the NFL again or — you don’t want to wish it on anybody — but if you had an injury, then you’d get the opportunity. I feel like it’s more beneficial for me to go learn from Bo for a year or two, and depending on what he decides to do, try to take over the reins from him.”

The ultra-athletic QB wasn’t sure what free agency was going to have in store for him. He was leaning towards the Ticats but saw three quarterbacks, Mitchell, Harrison Frost and Jake Dolegala, on the roster and did not know if Hamilton would be interested in him based on sheer numbers at the position. However, Orlondo Steinauer and Milanovich made it clear the 2021 Hec Crighton Trophy winner was wanted in the Hammer.

“Bo is super productive, but he’s getting older. At some point, he’s gonna retire unless he plays until he’s 50. Getting the chance to have a fresh start, learn behind a guy like Bo and get the opportunity to try to become the next starting quarterback for them is super incentivizing,” Ford said.

“Scott told me I gotta go compete, nothing’s going to be handed to me, which I think is the best way to do things. I’m going to try to go in there in training camp, earn that quarterback two position. Then hopefully, when it’s my turn to take over, be able to lead Hamilton to a Grey Cup.”

The 27-year-old flashed his potential in Edmonton despite constant change and turnover during his time with the franchise. He had three offensive coordinators through four seasons with the Elks: Stephen McAdoo, Jarious Jackson, and Jordan Maksymic. The Double E defence was also the worst in the CFL by a wide margin during his five starts in 2025, prior to Cody Fajardo being installed as the starter, which ultimately led to Ford becoming a free agent.

“I actually didn’t hear from them until the day they released me. They called me, ‘We’re gonna make it public.’ Knowing the situation and extending Cody, I wasn’t oblivious to what was going to happen. I knew what was coming and then they gave me a quick phone call before the release.”

Ford indicated there were no conversations with Edmonton about potentially restructuring his contract and staying in the Alberta capital as Fajardo’s backup. It’s an idea he thought about on his own due to relationships with people on the team and owning a house in the city. After some consideration, however, the six-foot-one, 192-pound passer felt starting fresh with a new team was best for his career and his goal to become a professional starter.

“From what I understand, [Scott] does see me as a starting quarterback and being able to take over when Bo is done. But nothing’s going to be given, you got to go out there, compete and show improvement. The more experience I can get, the better I can get. Hopefully when my name is called, I’m ready to take over,” Ford said.

“He will be judged based on what we see in the meeting rooms and practice, as well as the way he performs in the games,” Milanovich said in a statement. “Bo Levi Mitchell is our captain and unquestioned starter at quarterback. Tre will have a great opportunity to learn from him and compete for our backup quarterback job. I look forward to helping him become the player that he knows he can be.”

Milanovich has tutored elite quarterbacks in the Canadian Football League, Anthony Calvillo, Ricky Ray, Zach Collaros, Trevor Harris, Cody Fajardo, and Mitchell among them. Ford called him a “guru for quarterback coaching.” The University of Waterloo product is prepared to be coached hard by Milanovich who munches tape for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks during the season.

“Tough coaching is necessary, especially at the professional level. Being a professional, you have to understand the coaching, the tips, and advice — everything is not directed at you as a person, it’s directed at you as a quarterback. Nobody’s taking personal shots at anybody, it’s about becoming the best football player you can be and best football player for the team in order to go out there and win games,” Ford explained.

“Tough coaching is going to happen, everybody needs to be okay with it. You have to understand your situation that you are a football player, they’re your coach, they’re trying to make you better. They’re not taking shots at you as a person, they want you to improve as a football player.”

There are fond memories for Ford in Hamilton. He started his first career CFL game there on Canada Day in 2022. Edmonton came back from a 22-9 deficit to steal a 29-24 win as the dual-threat QB completed 15-of-26 passes with one touchdown versus one interception and added six carries for 61 yards.

Those good vibes should boost Ford’s confidence as he starts anew with the Tiger-Cats.

The post Canadian quarterback Tre Ford chose Hamilton Tiger-Cats over B.C. Lions appeared first on 3DownNation.

Hamilton defensive coordinator Brent Monson coached linebackers for the Calgary Stampeders in 2017 when McManis first signed in the Canadian Football League. He was released by the Toronto Argonauts on Tuesday.

The Ticats had a hole to fill at middle linebacker after East Division Most Outstanding Rookie, Canadian Devin Veresuk signed with the Indianapolis Colts in January.

McManis, who was 3DownNation’s fifth-ranked pending CFL free agent, missed five regular-season games due in part to a groin injury in 2025 but was productive when on the field with Toronto, recording 62 defensive tackles, four sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. He was the highest-paid player at his position in the three-down league last season, earning $229,500.

The 31-year-old had been with the Argos since 2022, earning two All-CFL selections and helped the team win two championships in 2022 and 2024. He arguably could have been the 111th Grey Cup MVP after leading the Double Blue with six defensive tackles and intercepting Zach Collaros once in an upset victory. His son and daughter were born in Toronto, the city the six-foot, 220-pounder calls home.

“Wynton is one of the premier defenders in our league,” said head coach Scott Milanovich in a statement. “He plays the game the right way — with physicality, intelligence, and a relentless motor. Beyond what he brings on the field, his experience as a Grey Cup champion and his leadership in the locker room are invaluable and we’re excited to welcome him to our organization.”

McManis entered the CFL in 2017 with the Calgary Stampeders, winning a Grey Cup the following year. He signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2020 and appeared in one game the following season, later spending time with the Miami Dolphins prior to returning to Canada.

In 100 career CFL games, McManis has amassed 390 defensive tackles, 52 special teams tackles, 16 sacks, nine interceptions, four forced fumbles, and three defensive touchdowns.

The Memphis, Tennessee native originally signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2016, playing two NFL games. He earned around $211,000 USD while in the NFL.

While at the University of Memphis, McManis posted 110 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, three passes defended, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interception in 47 NCAA games for the Tigers.

Hamilton finished first in the East Division standings in 2025 with an 11-7 record, though the team lost the East Final to the Montreal Alouettes. 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, leading receiver was Kenny Lawler with 1,443 yards, and 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.

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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 can negotiate with teams across the league during the communication window, which closes on Sunday, February 8. Players can agree to terms on a contract with a particular franchise; however, the deals are not legally binding and can’t be made official until after free agency opens on Tuesday, February 10.

The post Hamilton Tiger-Cats agree to terms with Canadian pass rusher Kene Onyeka: sources appeared first on 3DownNation.

The 25-year-old spent the 2025 CFL season with the Edmonton Elks. He dressed in 15 regular season games while recording five receptions for 34 yards along with eight special teams tackles.

The six-foot-one, 205-pound target appeared in 17 games with the Calgary Stampeders in 2024, registering three catches for 43 yards plus nine special teams tackles. The Dundas, Ont. native suited up in 46 games over four seasons in Cowtown. He posted eight grabs for 87 yards and notched 29 special teams tackles.

Middlemost was selected in the fourth round, 34th overall during the 2020 CFL Draft. He played his U Sports football at McMaster University. Over 26 collegiate games with the Marauders, he collected 83 receptions for 1,032 yards with seven touchdowns.

During his senior season on campus in the Hammer, the St. Mary Catholic Secondary School graduate produced 32 receptions for 528 yards with four touchdowns in 11 games while helping McMaster win the 112th Yates Cup 29-15 against Western University.

Pending CFL free agents can negotiate with teams across the league during the communication window, which closes on Sunday, February 8. Players can agree to terms on a contract with a particular franchise, however, the deals are not legally binding and can’t be made official until after free agency opens on Tuesday, February 10.

Hamilton finished first in the East Division standings in 2025 with an 11-7 record, though the team lost the East Final to the Montreal Alouettes. 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, leading receiver was Kenny Lawler with 1,443 yards, and 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.

The post Hamilton Tiger-Cats agree to terms with Dundas native Tyson Middlemost: sources appeared first on 3DownNation.

The league’s communication window, also known as the legal tampering window, opened on Sunday, February 1, and teams wasted no making decisions.

Even though teams have until Sunday, February 8, at 12 p.m. EST to speak to pending free agents, and no deals can become legally binding until Tuesday, February 10, more than 30 players have agreed to terms on contracts with new teams. That included over 25 of 3DownNation‘s top 50 available players entering the day.

All nine franchises took different approaches. The Ottawa Redblacks turned over much of their roster, striking deals with 11 players. The Edmonton Elks and Winnipeg Blue Bombers weren’t far behind, each making a series of key additions. Other teams opted to stand on early signings, like the B.C. Lions, who did not have a single contract reported.

Here is a look at what every team has accomplished — who they had signed, who they added, and who they lost.

Please note that “N” denotes National players (ie. Canadians), “A” denotes American players, and “G” denotes Global players.

Photo: Paul Yates/B.C. Lions

B.C. Lions

Pre-signings: LB Darnell Sankey (A), DL Casey Sayles (A)

Agreed to terms: None

Reportedly departing: OL Jarell Broxton (A), REC Ayden Eberhardt (A)

Photo: Bob Butrym/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

Edmonton Elks

Pre-signings: REC Austin Mack (A)

Agreed to terms: OL Brendan Bordner (A), DL Malik Carney (A), OL Jordan Murray (A), QB Taylor Powell (A), REC Joe Robustelli (A), OL Coulter Woodmansey (N), REC Brendan O’Leary-Orange (N)

Reportedly departing: LB Michael Brodrique (A), DB Devodric Bynum (A), DL Jake Ceresna (A), DL Jonathan Kongbo (N)

Retired: FB Tanner Green (N)

Photo courtesy: David Friederich/B.C. Lions

Calgary Stampeders

Agreed to terms: DB Devodric Bynum (A), REC Dejon Brissett (N)

Reportedly departing: None

Signed: RB Deonta McMahon (A)

Photo: Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Agreed to terms:  DL James Vaughters (A) 

Signed: RET James Letcher Jr. (A), LB Josh Woods (A)

Reportedly departing: LB A.J. Allen (N), DL Habakkuk Baldonado (G), DL Malik Carney (A), QB Jake Maier (A), REC Tommy Nield (N), SAM C.J. Reavis (A), REC Joe Robustelli (A)

Photo courtesy: Steven Chang/B.C. Lions

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Pre-signings: REC Tim White (A)

Agreed to terms: OL Jarell Broxton (A), DL Jake Ceresna (A), DB Jonathan Moxey (A), REC Tommy Nield (N)

Reportedly departing: DB Demerio Houston (A), OL Eric Lofton (A), REC Jerreth Sterns (A), DL James Vaughters (A)

Photo courtesy: Paul Yates/B.C. Lions

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Pre-signings: OL Chris Kolankowski (N)

Agreed to terms: OL Eric Lofton (A), REC Tyson Middlemost (N), DL Kene Onyeka (N)

Signed: QB Tre Ford (N), LB Wynton McManis (A)

Reportedly departing: DB DaShaun Amos (A), RB Greg Bell (A), OL Brendan Bordner (A), LB Brian Cole II (A), DB Jonathan Moxey (A), OL Jordan Murray (A), QB Taylor Powell (A), OL Coulter Woodmansey (N), REC Brendan O’Leary-Orange (N)

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

Toronto Argonauts

Pre-signings: DL DeWayne Hendrix (A), RB/KR Peyton Logan (A), SAM Adarius Pickett (A), OL Dakoda Shepley (N)

Agreed to terms: DB DaShaun Amos (A), DL Jonathan Kongbo (N), DB Robert Priester (A)

Reportedly departing: REC Dejon Brissett (N), LB Wynton McManis (A)

Arthur Ward/CFL.ca

Ottawa Redblacks

Trade acquisition: LB Nyles Morgan (A)

Agreed to terms: LB A.J. Allen (N), DL Habakkuk Baldonado (G), RB Greg Bell (A), LB Michael Brodrique (N), LB Brian Cole II (A), REC Ayden Eberhardt (A), DB Demerio Houston (A), DB Scott Hutter (N), QB Jake Maier (A), SAM C.J. Reavis (A), DL Dylan Wynn (A)

Reportedly departing: QB Dustin Crum (A), DB Robert Priester (A)

Photo courtesy: Andrew Mahon/CFL.ca

Montreal Alouettes

Pre-signings: KR DeVonte Dedmon (A)

Agreed to terms: QB Dustin Crum (A), REC Jerreth Sterns (A)

Reportedly departing: DB Scott Hutter (N), RET James Letcher Jr. (A), DL Dylan Wynn (A)

Retired: DB Marc-Antoine Dequoy (N)

The post Where every pending CFL free agent agreed to terms in tampering window: updated appeared first on 3DownNation.

The Niagara Falls native has decided to come home and take the backup spot behind Bo Levi Mitchell. Ford and Mitchell have a relationship and first met throwing together in Toronto along with Zach Collaros.

Ford was released by the Edmonton Elks on Friday, January 30, prior to a $110,000 offseason roster bonus, which was due Sunday, February 1. That made him a free agent and gave him the ability to put pen to paper with the Ticats.

Edmonton general manager Ed Hervey touted Ford as the Green and Gold’s starting QB entering the 2025 season and gave him a contract to match. However, the 27-year-old was benched following a 1-4 start as Cody Fajardo took over at the game’s most important position. He did not take another snap after Week 6 as Fajardo produced a 6-7 win-loss record to end the campaign, impressing head coach Mark Kilam and Hervey enough to extend his contract for the 2026 season.

After being selected in the first round, eighth overall by Chris Jones during the 2022 CFL Draft, Ford has completed 67 percent of his passes for 4,651 yards with 29 touchdowns versus 19 interceptions in 60 CFL games. He’s rushed 124 times for 1,129 yards, 9.1 per carry, and scored four majors on the ground. The six-foot, 190-pound QB has a 10-13 win-loss record in 23 career starts.

Ford earned the Hec Crighton Trophy in 2021 as the best player in Canadian university football after completing 63 percent of his passes for 1,770 yards with 12 touchdowns against six interceptions while rushing 66 times for 667 yards, 10.1 yards per carry, and three touchdowns in seven games, including one in the playoffs.

The ultra-athletic QB had his best statistical U Sports season in 2018 when he completed 74 percent of his passes for 3,093 yards with 30 touchdowns versus two interceptions while rushing 85 times for 771 yards, nine yards per carry, and four touchdowns in eight regular-season games and one in the playoffs.

Ford can learn behind Mitchell and under QB guru Scott Milanovich in Hamilton.

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