On Monday, the BC Lions re-signed defensive lineman Riley Pickett, linebacker Jacob Firlotte, and offensive lineman Tyler Packer. In addition, the Lions signed linebacker Ryder Varga and defensive lineman Adam Wallace from the 2022 Draft class but both players returned to school in their final year of eligibility.
Riley Pickett, a 25-year-old from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, had three tackles in ten games for the Lions this year. The Lions drafted Pickett in the fifth round (41st pick) in the 2022 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Pickett played three seasons at the University of Saskatchewan (2018-19, 2021) with 85 tackles, 14 sacks, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He is a 3-time CJFL National Champion and a Hardy Cup Champion in 2018.
Jacob Firlotte, a 26-year-old from Abbotsford, British Columbia, spent most of the season on the Lions’ practice squad. He played one game for the Lions on August 26th against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Blue Bombers drafted Firlotte in the seventh round (58th pick) in the 2018 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Firlotte played four seasons at Queen’s University (2014-17) with 68 tackles, three interceptions, seven pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 31 games. After college, Firlotte played for the Langley Rams (CJFL) in 2018 with eleven tackles, one interception, and one punt return touchdown.
Tyler Packer, a 23-year-old from Calgary, Alberta, played two games for the Lions in the 2022 season. The Lions drafted Packer in the sixth round (51st pick) in the 2021 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Packer played four seasons at the University of Calgary (2017-19, 2021) playing 37 games at right tackle. He was the first Dino rookie to start at tackle since former Lion Kirby Fabien in 2009. In addition, he helped the Dinos win the 2019 Vanier Cup, which was their first title since 1995 and was named Canada West Rookie of the Year in 2017 and a Canada West All-Star in 2018.
Ryder Varga, a 23-year-old from Regina, Saskatchewan, joins the Lions after spending five seasons at the University of Regina (2017-19, 2021-22) with 157 tackles, seven sacks, one interception, seven pass breakups, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and one block on special teams in 32 games. He is a three-time Academic All-Canadian and a 2021 Canada West All-Star. The Lions drafted Varga in the third round (29th pick) in the 2022 CFL Draft.
Adam Wallace, a 23-year-old from North Bay, Ontario, joins the Lions after playing four seasons at the University of Ottawa (2018-22) with ten tackles and 2.5 sacks in 18 games. The Lions drafted Wallace in the eighth round (68th pick) in the 2022 CFL Draft.
