Calgary Stampeders defensive back Branden Dozier has opted out of his CFL contract to be available for possible NFL employment.
Dozier signed with the Stamps during free agency in February.
The Topeka, Kansas native came to the CFL in 2017 with the Montreal Alouettes. He played 35 games for the Als, earning an East Division all-star nod in 2018. After moving on from La Belle Province, Dozier signed with B.C. in June of 2019 and started 16 games for Lions, leading the team with 70 tackles.
In 51 career CFL games, the 26-year-old has 220 tackles, 40 special-teams tackles, 11 knockdowns, six interceptions, three forced fumbles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, and one fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown.
While playing NCAA football, Dozier suited up in 22 games over two seasons at UNC-Charlotte (University of North Carolina at Charlotte) and posted 135 tackles with 15 passes defended, 2.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. As a junior in 2014, he became the first 49er to score on an interception return and a fumble return. He began his collegiate career at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas, and helped lead the Grizzlies to a 20-3 record and back-to-back conference championships.
At his pro day in 2016, Dozier ran a 4.57 hand-timed 40-yard dash and pushed 225 pounds on the bench press 20 times. The Carolina Panthers, New York Jets and Buffalo Bills had scouts in attendance. Following the 2016 NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers invited Dozier to rookie mini-camp, however, he was not offered a contract at its conclusion.
Dozier could be a physical, versatile addition to an NFL team.
