Considering BC Lions are set to hit the field for the upcoming season they made some major additions to the roster by having a successful draft which will only make the roster stronger.
Thanks to Matt Baker Communications Manager for the BC Lions for the info with the video at the end of the article – enjoy the read!!
The BC Lions announced the signings of three Americans on Monday: wide receiver Michael Fitzgerald II and defensive linemen David Gusta and Buddha Peleti.
Fitzgerald (6’6, 210 lbs)- the Atlanta native suited up in 12 games at UMASS from 2021-22 before moving to Central Michigan across 2023-24.
In 22 games with the Chippewas, Fitzgerald hauled in 55 receptions for 835 yards and eight touchdowns, while recording a career-high 136 yards in a 2023 contest against Pittsburg State.
He transferred to Wyoming for his senior season, recording 16 receptions for 228 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games with the Cowboys.
Gusta (6’3, 316 lbs)- earned an invite to the 2026 NFL Combine, where he recorded a 4.88 time on the 40-yard dash and 37 reps on the bench press.
After suiting up in 32 games at Washington State from 2021-24 and racking up 62 total tackles (24 solo, 38 assisted), 1.5 sacks and four pass knockdowns in 32 games, Gusta played his senior year at Kentucky.
With the Wildcats, the San Bernardino, CA native had 12 total tackles, one sack and two quarterback hurries before earning an invite to the East-West Bowl.
Peleti (6’2, 250 lbs)- suited up in 36 games at New Mexico State from 2021-24, making 58 total tackles (27 solo, 31 assisted), 13 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks and one pass knockdown in 36 games.
The Adelanto, CA native moved to Washington State for his senior campaign and registered 22 tackles, seven tackles for a loss and four sacks in 13 appearances.
He added one sack in the Apple Cup against Washington and another quarterback takedown in the Cougars’ win over Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
The Lions also released the following players from the roster: defensive back Marquis Bridges, linebacker Marvin Grant, quarterback Gevani McCoy, defensive back Jamal Parker and running back Antonio Wimbush.
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The BC Lions selected seven Nationals in Tuesday’s CFL Canadian Draft, loading up on skill positions in the early rounds while also addressing the line of scrimmage.
Full pick rundown:
Round 1, 7th overall: WR Nate DeMontagnac, North Dakota (6’3, 195 lbs) Hometown: Mississauga
Suited up in 40 games with the Fighting Hawks from 2022-25, making 64 receptions for 775 yards and four touchdowns across 40 games.
As a junior, he averaged 12.53 yards per catch and scored his first career major against Indiana State. Last name pronounced: Duh-MON-Ta-Nack.
Round 2, 15th overall: DB Jett Elad, Rutgers (6’0, 205 lbs). Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario.
A 2025 finalist for the Cornish Trophy as top Canadian in the NCAA, Elad played his senior year at Rutgers and made 80 total tackles (50 solo, 30 assisted), two interceptions, three pass knockdowns, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also earned an All-Big Ten honourable mention.
In 27 games at UNLV from 2023-24, Elad racked up 141 total tackles (90 solo, 51 assisted), one interception and 13 pass knockdowns.
Round 4, 36th overall: DB Pierre Kemeni, Ohio (6’1, 214 lbs). Hometown: Milton, Ontario.
Suited up in 24 games across two stints with the Ohio Bobcats (2020-21, 2025), primarily on special teams, where he made five total tackles as a senior.
In between, he suited up at Texas State, Garden City Community College and New Mexico. Kemeni is the cousin of Jett Elad.
Round 5, 45th overall: WR Nick Cenacle, Hawaii (6’2,199 lbs). Hometown: Montreal
In 44 games over four seasons with the Rainbow Warriors, Cenacle caught 122 passes for 1,295 yards and nine touchdowns.
Cenacle was the hero in their 2025 Hawaii Bowl win over California, making a 22-yard winning touchdown grab with ten seconds remaining.
Round 6, 54th overall: OL Ethan Graham, Regina (6’7, 315 lbs). Hometown: Regina, Saskatchewan.
Played in 32 games with the Rams, emerging as a starter at left tackle in his third season. Graham earned a Canada West All-Star nod in 2025 and caught a touchdown pass against Manitoba in the 2023 season, becoming just the second Rams offensive lineman in history with a reception.
Round 7, 63rd overall: LB Chase Henning, UBC (6’2, 215 lbs). Hometown: Salmon Arm
In 28 games with the Thunderbirds from 2023-25, Henning made 101 total tackles (39 solo, 62 assisted), 3.5 tackles for a loss, one sack and one forced fumble. Henning suited up in the 2023 Vanier Cup against Montreal.
Round 8, 72nd overall: DL Ebenezer Dibula, Kennesaw State (6’3, 300 lbs). Hometown: Ottawa
Dibula played his senior season at Kennesaw State, recording six combined tackles and one pass knockdown across six games.
In nine games at Bethune-Cookman as a junior in 2024, Dibula made 35 total tackles and one sack.
The Lions also announced the additions of two territorial junior players to the training camp roster:
OL Kaiden Kerntopf, Okanagan Sun (6’4, 325 lbs)- the two-time CJFL All-Canadian and BCFC All-Star recently showed well at the Lions’ local junior tryout in Langley.
The Kelowna native helped the Sun to a perfect 10-0 record last season before an appearance in the Canadian Bowl against Saskatoon.
WR Colton Meikle, Kamloops Broncos (6’4, 325 lbs)- will attend his third consecutive Lions training camp in his hometown after a 2025 campaign that saw him catch 12 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown across four games.
The Lions hold two selections in Wednesday’s Global Draft for the top prospects outside North America:
Round 1, 7th overall Round 2, 16th overall
Follow all of the activity at our Draft Central page HERE.
BC Lions Training Camp presented by Sun Peaks Resort and City of Kamloops begins on Wednesday, May 6 when first-year Lions and quarterbacks report for mini-camp at Hillside Stadium.
Veterans report to Kamloops on Saturday, May 10 with the first full practice on Sunday, May 11. The full schedule will be unveiled later this week
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LIONS SELECT NATIONAL CHAMPION PUNTER & DOLPHINS PROSPECT IN WEDNESDAY’S GLOBAL DRAFT
(Vancouver)- The BC Lions selected two prospects in Wednesday’s CFL Global Draft.
Round 1, 7th overall: P Brett Thorson, Georgia (6’2, 235 lbs).
Round 2, 16th overall: TE Seydou Traore, Mississippi State (6’4, 235 lbs).
Thorson: Country: Australia
Thorson recently signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a non-drafted free agent after a solid four years with the University of Georgia.
Along with winning a national championship in 2022, the Melbourne native had 156 punts for 7,115 yards (45.6-yard average) across 52 games with the Bulldogs.
Thorson was also an Associated Press All-America second team recipient in 2024 and 2025 and won the Ray Guy Award as a senior, awarded to college football’s top punter.
Traore: Country: Great Britain.
Born in France and raised in London, Traore was selected in round five (180th overall) by the Miami Dolphins in last week’s NFL Draft.
Traore split his NCAA career at Arkansas State (2021-22) and Mississippi State (2024-25), totalling 130 receptions for 1,464 yards and touchdowns in 48 total games. He capped it off by earning an invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl 2026.
For a full recap of both the CFL Canadian and Global Draft, click on our Draft Central Page.
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