Photo courtesy: Paul Yates/B.C. Lions

The B.C. Lions have re-signed three Americans who finished the 2025 season on the practice roster, including linebacker Jeremy Lewis and offensive linemen Tyran Hunt and Brandon Yates.

Lewis appeared in two regular-season games this season, recording three tackles. The six-foot-two, 237-pound defender had an impressive preseason with the team,  including an interception return in Edmonton that nearly went to the end zone.

The native of Greenville, N.C., was a five-year letterman at East Carolina University from 2019 through 2023, starting 34 of his 54 games with the Pirates, recording 150 total tackles, 23.5 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two pass knockdowns. He also hauled in eight receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown and was named East Carolina’s Male Outstanding Scholar Athlete in 2023.

Yates joined the Lions as part of the NFL practice roster expansion in September and made one start at left guard against the Calgary Stampeders on October 4. The Lions rushed for over 100 yards in a victory.

The six-foot-four, 310-pound blocker suited up in 61 games at West Virginia from 2019 to 2024, making 57 starts and seeing action at both left and right tackle. He was named an All-Big 12 Conference Second Team selection in 2020 and 2023.

Hunt spent the duration of the year on the practice roster after stints with the UFL’s Memphis Showboats and IFL’s Frisco Fighters, where he was named All-Rookie in 2024. The six-foot-seven, 313-pound blocker started 22 games at left guard at Old Dominion after transferring from Maryland.

The B.C. Lions finished second in the West Division standings in 2025 with an 11-7 record and beat the Calgary Stampeders in the West Semi-Final before losing the West Final to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Nathan Rourke threw for 5,290 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions over 16 regular-season starts, posting an 11-5 record. He was also named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player.

The Lions ranked first in net offence, fourth in net defence, and sixth with a turnover differential of minus-four. James Butler rushed for 1,213 yards, Keon Hatcher led the CFL with 1,688 receiving yards, and Micah Awe led the league with 117 tackles. B.C. finished third in attendance with average crowds of 27,124, which was a 0.9 percent increase from the previous year.