This offseason, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats have been very active in adding players to upgrade their defenive units. During the last two seasons, the Tiger-Cats have had one of the top defensive secondaries in the CFL, and while their defensive front seven has left much to be desired, the secondary has been a top-notch unit. However, what separates a championship team in the CFL from a rebuilding team is the depth at key positions.
For the Tiger-Cats, the defensive back position is one where their starters are some of the best players in the CFL. On the other hand, if those players get injured, Hamilton needs quality depth behind them to step in and play at that starter’s level. In addition, versatility makes a defensive back a very valuable commodity in the CFL, and that value skyrockets when a player can also be an impact player on special teams.
According to a press release from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the newest signee, American defensive back Stephen Douglas, meets all of those requirements.
Defensive back Stephen Douglas comes to the CFL hoping to prove he can be a versatile contributor for the Tiger-Cats. The 5’11”, 192-pound defensive back from Conifer, Colorado, has the prototypical size associated with safeties in the CFL. Specifically, Douglas feels he plays his best football when playing in a 3-4 scheme at free safety.
During his college football career, Douglas had to fight for every opportunity. Douglas started his college football career at NCAA Division III Albion College, where he played in 11 games from 2021 to 2022, recording 42 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 pass breakups, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, and 1 blocked kick. In 2023, Douglas transferred to NCAA Division II Northwood University, where he played in 16 more games. While at Northwood, Douglas registered 103 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 8 pass breakups, and another blocked kick.
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