Toronto Argonauts Welcome Pair of Recently Released UFL Players

Originally posted on CFL on FanNation | By Mike Mitchell | Last updated 3/19/24

The Toronto Argonauts announced today that they have signed linebacker Khalan Tolson and wide receiver Trea Shropshire.

Following the success of signing players like Shawn Oakman, Dejon Allen and Tarvarus McFadden — three former XFL players — the Argonauts continue to scour non-NFL leagues for talent. This pattern of leaving no stone unturned also led them to fan-controlled football standout Qwan'tez Stiggers, who is getting closer to being a part of NFL draft history.

With their two latest additions, Toronto has now signed six players with recent spring pro football league experience this offseason alone. And with UFL teams conducting final cuts for their regular season this coming weekend, don't be surprised if the Argos add more talent to their squad through that avenue.

We have signed LB Khalan Tolson and WR Trea Shropshire pic.twitter.com/WNNi3dScgZ
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) March 19, 2024

Tolson, 24, had 76 tackles and one sack for the Houston Gamblers of the USFL in 2023 after spending time with the Carolina Panthers in 2022. He was recently let go by the Houston Roughnecks. The versatile 6-foot, 235-pound linebacker played four seasons at The University of Illinois (2018-2021), racking up 128 tackles, 10 for loss, 2.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in 28 games.

Shropshire, 23, recently spent time with the D.C. Defenders of the UFL. The team released him in the first wave of UFL training camp cuts on March 9.

Before his stint with D.C., Shropshire attended NFL mini-camps with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings in 2023. In 2022, the Memphis Showboats selected the 6-foot-3, 195-pound pass-catcher in the eighth round of the USFL Draft. The Louisiana native played three seasons at the University of Alabama-Birmingham (2020-2022), where he caught 78 balls for 1,936 yards and 15 touchdowns in 34 career games. He attended Blinn College before transferring to UAB.

The Argos also announced the retirement of Canadian wide receiver Richard Burton. A 2023 Toronto draft selection, Burton spent the 2023 season with the Potsdam Royals of the German Football League. In a less than Shakespearean end (or maybe it is), Burton exits stage left on his CFL playing career three months after re-signing with the Boatmen.