The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have completed a five-player trade with the Edmonton Eskimos, acquiring non-import offensive lineman Greg Wojt, import linebacker Simoni Lawrence and import quarterback Jeremiah Masoli in exchange for non-import linebacker Nathan Kanya and the rights to non-import offensive lineman Carson Rockhill.
"We have strengthened our roster today by acquiring a Canadian offensive lineman who has played at an all-star level, a talented linebacker with CFL experience and a quarterback with plenty of potential," said general manager and head coach Kent Austin. "I'd also like to thank Nathan Kanya for his contributions to our organization over the past two years."
Since being selected by the Eskimos with the 11th overall pick in the 2008 CFL Draft, Wojt has started 37 of the 46 regular season games he has appeared in, earning the Eskimos' Most Outstanding Lineman award and a spot on the West Division All-Star team in 2011. Before joining the Esks, the Mississauga, Ontario native spent four seasons at Central Michigan.
Lawrence made 15 defensive tackles, 11 special teams tackles and one fumble recovery in 15 games during his first CFL season in 2012. The 6'1, 228-pound native of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania previously suited up with the NFL's St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers after finishing his NCAA career at Minnesota. He recorded 151 tackles, six sacks and two interceptions in two seasons with the Gophers.
Masoli, a 5'10, 221-pound native of San Francisco, California signed with the Eskimos as a free agent last season after stints with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers and the UFL's Omaha Nighthawks. Prior to turning pro Masoli spent two seasons at Oregon (2008-09) and one at Ole Miss (2010), throwing for 5,930 yards and 42 touchdowns while rushing for 1,930 yards and 29 majors.
Kanya joins the Eskimos after originally signing with Hamilton as a free agent on March 1, 2011. In two seasons, he recorded 23 special teams tackles, a defensive tackle and a fumble recovery. Prior to the Tiger-Cats, Kanya played five seasons (2006-10) at UBC where he recorded 120 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, eight quarterback sacks and three fumble recoveries.
Rockhill was originally selected by the Tiger-Cats in the second round (13th overall) of the 2012 CFL Canadian Draft. He elected to return to the University of Calgary Dinos to complete his education and play another year of CIS football.
