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‘We’re going to look at everything. We’re not married to any philosophy right now.’ — General manager Ryan Rigmaiden:
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Published May 14, 2026 • 5 minute read
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B.C. Lions GM Ryan Rigmaiden Photo by Steven Chang Steven Chang/BC LArticle content
The B.C. Lions are toying with a ratio revamp and altering the contingent responsible for protecting quarterback Nathan Rourke.
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It’s early days at training camp in Kamloops, and general manager Ryan Rigmaiden was quick to say that lineup construction remains fluid. But he also maintains that going with four American offensive linemen is something the team is considering.
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Right now, that plan has Kory Woodruff and Brandon Yates on the left side, and Chris Schleuger and Dejon Allen on the right, with Coquitlam product Michael Couture at centre.
CFL teams have to start eight nationals. The Lions regularly went with two on the offensive line last year, with it most often being Couture and right guard Anu (George) Una. Una’s prepping for his third season with the Lions, and the Toronto native started both playoff games last year after getting the call in 10 of his 15 regular-season appearances.
He was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2024 CFL Draft out of the University of Windsor.
“Saskatchewan won a Grey Cup doing it,” Rigmaiden said of the four American offensive linemen setup and last year’s CFL champions. “We feel like we have some skill guys that can come in here and play right away, and that allows us to dress the extra American offensive lineman. I certainly think Saskatchewan thought that as well.
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“You have to do what you think is right and what your philosophy is. Our philosophy has always been to be big, strong and physical up front. That’s on both sides of the ball, but specifically with the offensive line it’s about protecting Nathan and giving James Butler every inch of room.
“We’re going to look at everything. We’re not married to any philosophy right now. We always want to have a flexible philosophy, just in case of injury. But we feel like we’ll do whatever we can to put the best 24 (players) on the field.”
The Lions gave up the fewest sacks (20) in the league last season and set a CFL record by averaging 8.04 yards per play. But they knew in February that changes were coming on the offensive line, with left tackle Jarell Broxton jumping ship to sign with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as a free agent.
The Olney, Maryland native made the All-CFL team last season and was B.C.’s nominee for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman for a third straight campaign.
Rigmaiden says the Lions made Broxton an offer prior to free agency that would have made him the highest-paid tackle in the league. He didn’t offer up specifics, but said that “when he turned it down you obviously start coming up with another alternative of how to build a successful offensive line.”
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B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke with Keon Hatcher Sr. during the opening day of the CFL football team’s training camp, in Kamloops May 10, 2026. The B.C. Lions are toying with a ratio revamp and altering the contingent responsible for protecting Rourke. Photo by Darryl Dyck /THE CANADIAN PRESS
That included telling Woodruff, 26, a third-year Lion who started last season at left guard, to prepare for a shift to the tackle spot.
The Lions announced Jan. 19 that they had signed Woodruff to a two-year contract extension that would keep him with the club through 2027, and mentioned in the press release that he had the “potential to play tackle.”
On Feb. 1, there were various reports that the Bombers were going to sign Broxton when free agency officially opened on Feb. 10, and the two-year deal would pay him $250,000 annually, making him the highest-paid American offensive lineman in the league.
To deal with speed rushers on the outside, the Lions wanted Woodruff to change up his body over the off-season and become quicker. Rigmaiden says Woodruff has dropped 25 pounds. The Sioux City, Iowa native was listed at 6-foot-3 and 340 pounds last season.
“It’s about how he’s carrying the weight. It’s never strictly about losing weight. You don’t want to lose the good weight, because you’re not getting stronger,” Rigmaiden said. “You need to be a little bit more athletic at tackle. We asked him to change up his body and he’s done everything we’ve asked. He looks fantastic.
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“The coaches really believed and still do that Kory can be the guy. But it was on Kory to go in and change his body and change his mindset because ‘I’m playing tackle now. I can’t just come to camp and expect the same stuff.’ They’re similar positions but they’re very different.”
Woodruff, like Broxton, has spent time in the past playing arena football, where they only use three offensive linemen so there are guard and tackle skills both at play. And Broxton was a left guard with the Lions before shifting to tackle in 2023 when veteran Joel Figueroa signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as a free agent.
“His career arc in comparison to Jarell’s is almost identical,” Rigmaiden said.
If B.C. does utilize the four American offensive linemen scheme, they’d have to find a spot for another Canadian. Receiver could be an option, where B.C. needs to fill a void created by Ayden Eberhardt moving to the Ottawa Redblacks as a free agent. The Loveland, Colo., native had 45 catches for 863 yards last season.
In the mix in that regard is Kieran Poissant, 25, an alum of the B.C. Football Conference’s Westshore Rebels originally from Regina. He’s in his third year as a Lion, played 16 games last season and had six catches for 55 yards. He had one catch for 26 yards in the playoff loss to Saskatchewan.
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“He’s waited his turn and is a good football player,” Rigmaiden said.
B.C. also took University of North Dakota receiver Nate DeMontagnac, 23, who’s from Mississauga, with its first-round selection (No. 7 overall) in the CFL Draft, and University of Hawaii receiver Nick Cenacle, 24, in the fifth round.
“Both of those guys are very good players,” Rigmaiden said. “It’s going to be a challenge to learn this offence in only three weeks. I’ll say this — they’ve shown every inkling that they can do it and I’m very excited for both of them.”
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