The B.C. Lions have signed six American players to their practice roster, including receivers Jared Bernhardt, Devron Harper, Natorian ‘Deuce’ Watts, defensive lineman Terrance Taylor, linebacker Mike Smith Jr., and defensive back Amechi ‘A.J.’ Uzodinma.
Bernhardt played lacrosse at the University of Maryland, finishing his tenure as the program’s all-time leader in points (290), goals (202), and single-season goals (71). He helped the program win a National Championship in 2017, setting new records for most goals (18) and points (74) in a single NCAA Tournament.
The six-foot-one, 195-pound native of Longwood, Fla. transferred to Ferris State, a Division II program located in Big Rapids, Mi., in 2021 where he led the team to a 14-0 record and a National Championship. He threw for 1,322 yards and 11 touchdowns and ran for 1,273 yards and 23 touchdowns with the Bulldogs. Bernhardt signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023 as a receiver and initially made the team’s active roster before being moved to injured reserve.
Harper made 159 receptions for 1,929 yards and 13 touchdowns over 34 collegiate games at Mercer University, an FCS program located in Macon, Ga. The five-foot-nine, 170-pound native of Conyers, Ga. also rushed for 458 yards and six touchdowns and was a first-team All-Conference selection as a junior. He attended rookie minicamp with the Minnesota Vikings earlier this year.
Watts made 81 catches for 1,407 yards and 16 touchdowns over 37 collegiate games at Tulane University. The six-foot-one, 196-pound target signed with the Green Bay Packers after going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft and later joined the practice roster with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Taylor recorded 123 total tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and four pass breakups over 46 collegiate games at the University of Toledo. The six-foot-three, 229-pound defender was named the MAC West Defensive Player of the Week as a senior.
Smith Jr. finished his collegiate career at Baylor University where he made 25 total tackles, three tackles for loss, seven sacks, and one pass breakup. The six-foot-one, 231-pound native of Flora, Miss. originally committed to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College before transferring to Liberty University, where he made 85 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception over 11 games. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts after going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Uzodinma played 57 collegiate games at Ball State University, making 172 total tackles, four tackles for loss, 44 pass breakups, 10 interceptions, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. The six-foot, 193-pound native of Chicago, Ill. was named second-team All-Mid-American in 2019.
The B.C. Lions (7-7) will host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (5-9) on Friday, Sept. 29 with kickoff slated for 10:30 p.m. EDT.
