Latest news with #DevinVeresuk
CTV News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Rookie Veresuk quickly showing why Ticats drafted him second overall this year
Montreal Alouettes running back Travis Theis (30) is tackled by Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Devin Veresuk (49) during second half CFL football game action in Hamilton, Ont. on Friday, June 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power HAMILTON — It didn't take Devin Veresuk long to force the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' hand. When Hamilton selected the Windsor Lancers linebacker with the second pick of the 2025 CFL draft, it was clearly with the intent that Veresuk would develop into a starter down the line. But the future became a reality just two games into the season when the Ticats made the bold move of releasing veteran American Kyle Wilson and replacing him with the six-foot-two, 240-pound Canadian rookie. 'He'd had a week where it just looked like it clicked and he was becoming very instinctive,' said Ticats head coach Scott Milanovich. 'That's kind of when we decided it was time. 'I mean there's some mistakes … but he's very natural, a very good tackler and has the physical skills to chase things down if he does make a mistake. He does little stuff that's hard to teach and I think he's going to be a good one.' Coincidentally, Hamilton (3-2) hasn't lost since the move. It has reeled off three straight wins to move into a tie with Montreal (3-2) atop the East Division. Veresuk had a pick-six in his CFL debut and has led the team in tackles in both of his first two games. 'I thought I'd get an opportunity at some point but I didn't realize how quickly it was going to come,' Veresuk said. 'That being said, I had to step up to the plate and show I can do it. 'The guys have definitely helped settle me in, get used to it and into the swing of things but it has been a bit of an adjustment, for sure.' Wilson, who quickly caught on with the Calgary Stampeders, remains tied with safety Stavros Katsantonis for the Ticats' team lead in total tackles (23 each). Veresuk is tied with cornerback Jamal Peters for fourth at 21, one behind fellow linebacker Rayshawn Wilborn. Hamilton will chase a fourth straight win over an East team when it completes its home-and-home series with Ottawa (1-5) on Sunday night at TD Place. The Ticats earned a 23-20 victory Saturday night at Hamilton Stadium. Veresuk registered 160 total tackles (14 for loss), nine sacks, two forced fumbles and a pick-six in 22 games at Windsor. He also posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.47 seconds at the University of Buffalo's pro day while also registering 27 reps in the 225-pound bench press, a 4.47-second short shuttle and 7.19-second three-cone drill. Those results helped land Veresuk an invitation to the Indianapolis Colts rookie mini-camp. He ultimately signed with Hamilton on May 14, two days after the start of its training camp. It didn't take Veresuk long to reward the Ticats' faith in him. He had a team-high nine tackles (eight defensive, one special-teams) and a 36-yard interception return TD in his first CFL start, a 35-17 win over then-unbeaten Montreal on June 27. Veresuk followed up with eight tackles (one for loss) to lead the defence in Hamilton's 51-38 victory over Toronto on July 4. Last week versus Ottawa, veteran Reggie Stubblefield registered a team-high seven tackles (one for loss) in his Ticats debut as Veresuk finished with three. Veresuk admits the last month has been somewhat of a whirlwind but credits Wilborn with helping him through the rough patches. The arrival of Stubblefield -- last week was his first CFL game since suffering a season-ending knee injury in Montreal's '24 opener -- has also provided immediate benefits. 'Ray has probably been my top guy; he's been helping me out,' Veresuk said. 'Any time I make a mistake or tend to beat myself up, he has helped pick me up and helped keep my chin up. 'Reggie brings energy, confidence and communication. He talks a lot pre-snap and that helps me quite a bit.' Predictably, the biggest adjustment Veresuk has faced is the speed of the CFL game. 'It's professional players that I'm going up against, some of the best football players in the world,' he said. 'Also, there's just how finite the differences are between winning and losing games. 'It really does come down to four, five plays and just being on the better side of those plays. If I prepare during the week, on weekends the game slows down a bit.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2025. Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
Toronto Star
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Rookie Devin Veresuk quickly showing why Ticats drafted him second overall this year
HAMILTON - It didn't take Devin Veresuk long to force the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' hand. When Hamilton selected the Windsor Lancers linebacker with the second pick of the 2025 CFL draft, it was clearly with the intent that Veresuk would develop into a starter down the line. But the future became a reality just two games into the season when the Ticats made the bold move of releasing veteran American Kyle Wilson and replacing him with the six-foot-two, 240-pound Canadian rookie.
CTV News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Mitchell throws two TD passes, earns 100th CFL win as Ticats beat Alouettes 35-17
Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell (19) looks to pass during first half CFL football game action against the Montreal Alouettes in Hamilton, Ont. on Friday, June 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power HAMILTON — Bo Levi Mitchell couldn't wait to celebrate his 100th career CFL victory. So after the final question was asked about his milestone win and 35-17 victory against the Montreal Alouettes on Friday, the 35-year-old quarterback remarked with a smile, 'Okay, let's drink.' The two-time Grey Cup winner and two-time Most Outstanding Player reached the century mark in his 144th start to become the fastest to 100 wins, bettering Ron Lancaster's 100 wins in 149 starts. Mitchell also moved into a tie for ninth on the CFL all-time list with Matt Dunigan. The Ticats pivot claimed he didn't start thinking about making history until 20 seconds remained. 'That's not the reason I still play,' Mitchell said. 'It's for the moment afterwards in the locker room.' The Tiger-Cats' first victory in three starts in 2025 was an emotional one. First-year general manager Ted Goveia, who recently was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, registered his first CFL win as a GM and was awarded the game ball. Also, 24-year-old linebacker Devin Veresuk spoke about his successful first CFL start. The native of Windsor turned the game in Hamilton's favour with a 36-yard pick-six late in the third quarter. 'The ball just happened to magically appear in my hands,' said Veresuk, who snared his interception after Montreal QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson bounced off his intended receiver Travis Theis. 'Thank God I didn't drop it. I heard my teammates say, 'Get out of there.' So I just turned around, saw green grass and didn't stop.' Veresuk recalled he only had one interception return for a touchdown in his time at the University of Windsor. He was pleased about 15 family members and friends made the trip from Windsor to witness his heroics. 'This is probably the happiest I've been outside of this football game,' Veresuk said. 'I love it here. So I can't complain.' Besides his defensive touchdown, Veresuk made a team-leading eight tackles before 20,911 at Tim Hortons Field. Another Canadian in Johnny Augustine of Welland, Ont., contributed to Mitchell's evening. With running back Greg Bell out with a calf injury, Augustine ran for 49 yards on 15 carries and caught three passes for 63 yards. The University of Guelph product was a significant performer in the second quarter when a Hamilton drive resulted in a one-yard touchdown pass from Mitchell to Kenny Lawler. Augustine was good for a 39-yard catch and run and an 18-yard run to set up Hamilton's first touchdown. Mitchell completed passes to nine different receivers, completing 25 of 31 for 247 yards. Bethel-Thompson started in place of injured starter Davis Alexander (hamstring). The Alouettes pivot completed 24 of 41 for 203 yards with a touchdown, two interceptions and a fumble that resulted in a touchdown recovery from Hamilton defensive lineman Julian Howsare with 2:22 remaining. The Alouettes (3-1) began the second half with an eight-play, 45-yard drive, resulting in a 12-yard field goal from Jose Maltos to cut the home side's lead to 8-7. The Ticats (1-2) answered with a 37-yard field goal from Marc Liegghio and a four-point advantage. Alouettes defensive back Najee Murray twice made goal-line tackles late in the first half to pressure the Ticats into a third-and-one situation before the Lawler touchdown. The Ticats have four straight wins following a bye week after going three for three in 2024. Up next Tiger-Cats: Travel to meet the rival Toronto Argonauts on Friday. Alouettes: Play host to the British Columbia Lions on Saturday, July 5. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025.
National Post
29-04-2025
- Sport
- National Post
LIVE: Tracking the Saskatchewan Roughriders CFL draft selections
The 2025 Canadian Football League draft was held on Tuesday night as the next wave of Canadians prospects were selected by CFL clubs. Article content Article content After the Calgary Stampeders selected receiver Damien Alford with the No. 1 pick, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats nabbed linebacker Devin Veresuk second overall before the Ottawa Redblacks took receiver Keelan White with the third overall pick. Article content With the fourth overall selection, the Saskatchewan Roughriders drafted defensive lineman Ali Saad, a Windsor, Ont. product who played college football at Bowling Green State University. Article content Last season, the 6-foot-3, 280-pounder racked up 19 solo tackles (40 total tackles), nine tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks in 13 games. Saad was 11th ranked prospect according to the CFL scouting bureau's spring rankings. Barring any trades, the Roughriders will also select 13th overall in round two, 25th overall in round three, 34th overall in round four, 43rd overall in round five, 52nd overall in round six and 69th overall in round eight. The Riders previously traded away their seventh-round pick to Calgary in exchange for quarterback Jake Maier this off-season. Article content Article content Article content Last season with the NCAA's Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, the 6-foot-4, 260-pounder from Belgium recorded 24 tackles, six tackles for a loss, five pass breakups and 2.5 sacks in seven starts along the defensive line. Article content Last season with the NCAA's Vanderbilt Commodores, the 28-year-old averaged 48 yards per punt. Prior to suiting up for Vanderbilt, the 6-foot-4, 222-pounder played three seasons for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2021-23. Article content CFL teams are mandated to dress one Global player and last season, the Roughriders routinely dressed two in punter Adam Korsak and defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado, who are both expected to return in 2025.
