Daryl Stephenson, a three-year pro with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after a decorated collegiate career at the University of Windsor that included a Hec Crighton Trophy, has signed a two-year deal with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The move gives the Ti-Cats some needed Canadian depth, since Stephenson has primarily been a special teams player with Winnipeg since breaking into the CFL in 2008.
Hamilton has lost five non-imports over the past two weeks — Alexandre Gauthier and Chris Bauman were released; George Hudson, Jermaine Reid and Brian Ramsay in free agency — and replenished the stock with only Stephenson and offensive lineman Wayne Smith, who has played two series in as many seasons.
Stephenson will give Hamilton an added dimension in Khari Jones’s offence to be a second-down back behind Avon Cobourne, the Tiger-Cats centrepiece from this year’s free agent class.
The Blue Bombers did not offer the 25-year-old a deal and have been very quiet since signing season began at midnight on Feb. 16.
Stephenson, the all-time leading rusher in CIS football history, was named the national university player of the year in 2006.
