The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed free agents internationals, offensive lineman Vinston Painter, and wide receivers Andrew Turzilli and Jaelon Acklin.
Painter, 29, has appeared in 14 career National Football League games with the Cleveland Browns (2014), Washington Redskins (2016) and Arizona Cardinals (2017). The six-foot-four, 318-pound, native of Norfolk, Virginia, was originally selected by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round, 173rd overall, in the 2013 NFL Draft. He also spent time with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins (2015) and New York Giants (2015).
Prior to turning pro, Painter played 31 games over four seasons (2009-13) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The versatile lineman started his college career at defensive tackle before transitioning to right guard, and eventually started at right tackle in his final season at Virginia Tech.
Turzilli, 27, was most recently part of the Tiger-Cats offseason roster in May 2018. He played three regular season games with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans in 2015, registering two receptions for 25 yards. The six-foot-four, 195-pound native of Butler, New Jersey, also spent time with the New York Giants (2017), Detroit Lions (2016) and San Francisco 49ers (2015).
Turzilli split his collegiate career between the University of Kansas (2011-2013) and Rutgers University (2014). He registered 27 receptions for 491 yards and two touchdowns in 24 games with the Jayhawks, and had 10 receptions for 347 yards and four touchdowns in 11 games with the Scarlet Knights.
Acklin, 23, signed as an undrafted free agent with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens in 2018 and attended training camp with the team. The six-foot-two, 190-pound native of Mountain View, Missouri made 44 appearances over four seasons (2014-17) at Western Illinois University, recording 105 receptions for 1,733 yards and 12 touchdowns, and adding 21 carries for 255 yards and four rushing touchdowns.