CARDBIZ: VANCOUVER (April 15, 2026) — The BC Lions continue to shape their roster ahead of the 2026 CFL season, bolstering their depth on both sides of the ball with the signing of two American imports: wide receiver/return specialist Silas Bolden and linebacker Parker McKenna.
WR/Returner Silas Bolden
Bolden (5’8, 160 lbs) heads north bringing proven electric, big-play ability. The Fontana, California native spent his 2025 training camp with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent before landing on the Houston Texans practice squad.
Prior to turning pro, Bolden earned All-Pac-12 second-team honours twice at Oregon State (2021-23) before transferring to Texas for his senior season. During his 15 games with the Longhorns, he recorded 23 receptions for 267 yards and a touchdown, while adding 315 punt return yards (including a 75-yard touchdown in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal against Arizona State). Silas is also the younger brother of Victor Bolden Jr., who signed with the Lions in 2025.
NCAA HIGHLIGHTS (TEXAS/OREGON ST): 23 REC | 267 YDS | 30 PR, 315 YDS | 1 PR TD
LB Parker McKenna
McKenna (6’0, 225 lbs) arrives following a decorated college career spanning Portland State (2020-23) and Washington State (2024-25). At Portland State, he earned All-Big Sky Honorable Mention honours with 75 tackles and nine TFLs in 11 starts.
After transferring to the Cougars, he elevated his game, being named a Pac-12 Conference Top Defensive Performer as a senior. Across 25 games with WSU, McKenna posted 122 tackles, including a career-high 83-tackle season in 2025 that featured multiple double-digit tackle performances.
NCAA HIGHLIGHTS (WSU/PORTLAND ST): 52 GAMES | 319 TACKLES | 21 TFL | 2 INT
ROSTER RELEASES: To make room, the Lions released two National players: defensive lineman Anthony Bennett (1st round pick, 2023 CFL Draft) and offensive lineman Tyler Packer (6th round pick, 2021 CFL Draft). Packer appeared in 19 games over four seasons with BC, while Bennett dressed for four games in 2025.
The Hobby Angle: Chasing Silas Bolden
Unlike many players transitioning from the NCAA/NFL fringes to the CFL, Silas Bolden already carries established collector interest. Because he played for highly visible programs like Texas and Oregon State, and signed with the Vikings out of college, Bolden has several key trading cards actively circulating in the hobby.
Note: Parker McKenna does not currently have any officially licensed NIL or professional trading cards on the market.
Featured Investment
2024 Bowman University Chrome (#164) & Panini NIL (#85): Bolden’s college cards feature him in his Texas Longhorns uniform. The Bowman U Chrome release includes numerous highly sought-after refractors, including the Green Lava Refractor and Shimmer Refractor parallels.
2025 Sage Football Rookie Autograph (#A-SB): This is Bolden’s true rookie autograph, released right around the time he signed as an undrafted free agent with Minnesota. It features several parallels, including the popular “After School Special” (#AS-22) insert.
Current Market (as of mid-April 2026): Bolden’s cards are currently trading in the accessible $5 to $40 range, heavily dependent on the specific parallel color and grading condition. The Sage Rookie Autograph is commanding the most consistent hobby interest.
CardBiz Verdict
If you are a BC Lions fan or a CFL collector, Silas Bolden presents a rare opportunity: a fresh signing who actually has a robust checklist of modern cards to chase. His 2025 Sage Football Rookie Autographs are the primary target here. Because he was an undrafted free agent who didn’t stick in the NFL, the prices on these autographs have cooled significantly from their initial release highs.
For under $20, you can secure an on-card autograph of an electric return specialist before he even takes his first snap at BC Place. If Bolden’s game-breaking speed translates to the wide-open Canadian field, and especially if he starts taking punts to the house, these cheap autographs will become incredibly fun stash items for local fans and specialized CFL hobbyists.