T.J. Burke testing NCAA transfer portal after release from B.C. Lions practice roster, still open to CFL return

Graphic: 3DownNation

Former B.C. Lions defensive lineman T.J. Burke is attempting to return to college football.

The 22-year-old was one of eight athletes granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA by Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman on Thursday, September 3, which could allow them to return to school for a fifth year of eligibility. The athletes were given one week to enter the transfer portal and find a new team, with multiple outlets reporting on Saturday that Burke has officially done the former.

According to the lawyers representing the athletes, all had interest in playing for schools in the state of Oklahoma, where the lawsuit was filed. It was not specified whether there were any available roster spots remaining for them, as some college football teams have already played two games this season.

In a text exchange with 3DownNation this weekend, Burke confirmed that he is in the transfer portal and has received interest from several college programs. However, he said it remains unclear whether any will be allowed to sign him, as several conferences have moved to ban returning pro players and additional legal action could be required. He has until September 10 to commit to a team.

Burke was quietly released by the Lions on August 26. The move was recorded on the CFL’s transaction wire, but not formally announced by the club.

A team source told 3DownNation that the move was made to temporarily create roster space in other areas. They had expressed the intention of bringing the promising pass rusher back at the earliest available opportunity, likely once CFL practice rosters were expanded. The B.C. front office was unaware of any desire or ongoing efforts by Burke to return to college, and he did not request his release.

Burke says he began the process of applying for a TRO in July as an insurance policy if his CFL opportunity ended, but had largely placed it on the back burner because he believed it to be unrealistic. The fact that he won his court case shortly after his release from the Lions was purely coincidental.

The native of Selbyville, Del., had yet to appear in a regular-season CFL game, but was on the practice roster for the first 12 weeks of the season. He was originally signed by the team on May 15, partway through training camp, and appeared in two preseason contests for B.C., recording one defensive tackle and a sack. He previously attended rookie mini-camp with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Burke is the second former CFL player to enter the transfer portal after receiving a TRO, following Winnipeg, Man., native and former Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Trae Tomlinson. However, while Tomlinson merely participated in a CFL training camp, Burke cashed actual paycheques from the Lions.

The NCAA recently changed its eligibility rules, which has led several recently graduated student-athletes to take legal action against the organization.

Instead of allowing athletes to play four seasons over a five-year window, athletes are now permitted to play all five seasons in a five-year window. However, there was no exception made for outgoing seniors, some of whom — like Burke — had only played four seasons over four years.

Burke played at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania from 2022 to 2025, appearing in 47 games. The six-foot-two, 305-pound defensive tackle recorded 113 total tackles, 22 tackles for a loss, and 13 sacks. He was a two-time first-team All-Patriot League selection and a third-team FCS All-American as a senior.

Several players cut by NFL teams in training camp have already committed to college programs after successful lawsuits. Due to the legalization of name, image, and likeness compensation in the NCAA, there is a financial incentive to exhaust all possible eligibility, particularly for players who may wind up on an NFL practice roster or in alternative professional leagues like the CFL.

Burke emphasized in his conversation with 3DownNation that he will only pursue an NCAA offer if it is legally viable and offers “a life-changing amount of money.” He would not accept a lesser offer over a chance to return to the CFL. He declined to say whether there were already conversations ongoing with the Lions about bringing him back, with his collegiate deadline just three days away.

The B.C. Lions (6-6) will return to action on Saturday, September 12, when they host the Montreal Alouettes (10-2). Kickoff from BC Place is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. EDT.