Hamilton — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced on Wednesday that National linebacker Jordan Williams had retired.

The team also confirmed the signing of seven 2024 Draft picks, as well as American receiver Dev Holmes.

Williams, 29, was moved to the Ticats on January 29 after playing the 2023 season with the Toronto Argonauts. Williams was the first overall choice in the 2020 CFL Draft and was voted Most Outstanding Rookie in 2021 after recording the most defensive tackles (92) by a Canadian rookie. He spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons with the BC Lions before being moved to the Argonauts last year.

Williams appeared in 14 games and made 13 starts with Toronto, totaling 52 tackles, five of which were for loss, and one pass knockdown. The six-foot, 230-pound product of Baltimore, MD has played

46 games in the CFL with the Argonauts (2023) and BC Lions (2021-2022), totaling 245 total tackles, 16 special teams tackles, one quarterback sack, one interception, and three forced fumbles.

Williams’ departure reduces the Ticats’ ratio flexibility. The recent signing of former Edmonton Elk and 2022 fourth-round pick Enock Makonzo will help to mitigate the blow, while the franchise waits for some of its younger players to mature.

To that end, the signing of seven of its 2024 Draft picks represents a welcome inflow of national talent. The following players were signed:

Finally, Holmes, 24, appeared in 34 games over three seasons at the University of New Haven, totaling 126 receptions for 2,257 yards and 29 touchdowns, earning Northeast-10 All-Conference First Team honors in 2022. The five-foot-nine, 175-pound product of Troy, NY, began his scholastic career at the University of Albany, where he appeared in 11 games and recorded 50 receptions for 734 yards and five touchdowns.