The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have signed American offensive lineman Julian Pearl.
The six-foot-six, 315-pound left tackle played 49 games over six seasons at the University of Illinois, making 23 consecutive starts to end his tenure. As a senior in 2023, he was named an All-Big Ten honourable mention and contributed to a unit that was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award as the top offensive line in college football.
Pearl signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens, but was waived following training camp. He would spend time on the practice roster of the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns in 2024, but did not see game action. He spent a portion of training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, but was released.
The native of Danville, Ill., was selected sixth overall in the 2024 UFL Draft by the Michigan Panthers and reportedly signed with the team in September, but is now headed for the CFL.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats added several talented players in free agency, including quarterback Tre Ford, receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr., linebacker Wynton McManis, and returner Mario Alford. The team’s key departures included running back Greg Bell (Ottawa Redblacks), receiver Tim White (Winnipeg Blue Bombers), offensive lineman Coulter Woodmansey (Edmonton Elks), and defensive back DaShaun Amos (Toronto Argonauts).
The Tiger-Cats hold the fifth overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on May 10. Hamilton will play its first preseason game against the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday, May 23, and its first regular-season game against the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday, June 4.
In 2025, Hamilton finished first in the East Division standings with an 11-7 record, though the team lost the East Final to the Montreal Alouettes.
