Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will give most of their starter the first taste of action in their preseason opener on Saturday against the Toronto Argonauts, including the current favourite to win the vacant running back job.
Larry Rountree III is listed with the first unit, giving him a leg up on the competition. The CFL rookie was a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers. He dressed for 16 regular-season NFL games, rushing 49 times for 106 yards, catching three passes for 13 yards, and scoring one touchdown.
The five-foot-ten, 210-pound native of Raleigh, N.C., played collegiately at the University of Missouri, where he rushed for 3,720 yards, caught 47 passes for 289 yards, and scored 40 touchdowns.
Veteran Canadian ball carrier Johnny Augustine is listed as the backup, followed by Shane Watts, Avery Morrow, and newcomer Nahree Biggins. All are expected to receive carries with the job up for grabs.
Other notable names listed with the first unit include a trio of second-year defenders expected to ascend to starting roles: weakside linebacker Braxton Hill, halfback Quavian White, and cornerback Zamari Walton. Nathaniel Dumoulin-Duguay is filling in at right guard, rookie Global fullback Maximillian Mang is getting the nod over incumbent Jevonni Robinson, and Mitch McCarthy is listed ahead of Nick Haberer in the punter battle.
Free agent receivers Keric Wheatfall and Kurleigh Gittens Jr. will make their Ticats debuts, as will left tackle Trevor Reid and centre Chris Kolankowski. Linebacker Wynton McManis will make his first appearance on defence.
Notable players not dressing include guard Liam Dobson, running back Ante Milanovic-Litre, defensive end Tyjuan Garbutt, and first-round pick Jonathan Denis.
The Ticats will host the Toronto Argonauts at Hamilton Stadium on Saturday, May 23. Kickoff is slated for 4:00 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast on TSN.
Graphic courtesy: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
