The day following their announcement of re-signing CFL All-Star wide receiver Tim White, the Tiger-Cats have added two more American offensive players to their roster. According to the CFL Transactions list, they have acquired wide receiver Juan Carlos Santana and running back Marcus Cooper. Cooper joins Hamilton after a stint with the Seattle Seahawks in the 2023 season, while Santana comes aboard after being released by the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas last week.
Juan Carlos Santana, a 6’0″, 183-pound wide receiver hailing from Katy, Texas, played college football at the University of Tulsa from 2018 to 2022. During his tenure at Tulsa spanning 38 games, he accumulated 123 receptions for 1,781 yards and eleven touchdowns, along with one rushing attempt for six yards.
Despite labeling himself a “big-game player,” Santana has been seeking an opportunity to showcase his skills since departing Tulsa. Post-college, he attended Rookie Mini-Camps with the Houston Texans and the Seattle Seahawks. In the fall of 2023, he was signed by the San Antonio Brahmas, making their protected roster during the UFL player allocation period following the XFL/USFL merger. However, Santana was subsequently released from the Brahmas roster as they gear up for the 2024 UFL season training camp.
Marcus Cooper, a 5’8″, 184-pound running back from Altair, Texas, commenced his college football journey at Southeastern Louisiana University in 2017, continuing until 2020. During his time with the Lions, he recorded 74 rushing attempts for 350 yards and three touchdowns, along with 58 receptions for 544 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Cooper concluded his collegiate career playing for the University of Incarnate Word during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. While with the Cardinals, he amassed 311 carries for 2,021 yards and 20 touchdowns, along with 57 receptions for 486 yards and three receiving touchdowns. In 2023, he was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent.
