The B.C. Lions signed offensive lineman Kory Woodruff and defensive back Duke Dawson on Tuesday.
Kory Woodruff is six foot five and weighs 349 pounds. The 23-year-old from Sioux City, Iowa, played eight games for the Vegas Knight Hawks (IFL) in 2023. Vegas’s offense finished the season averaging 44.2 points per game, averaging 70.1 rushing yards per game, 191.8 average passing yards per game, 261.9 average yards per game, and 57 offensive touchdowns.
Collegiately, Woodruff played three seasons at Briar Cliff University (2018-20) playing 28 games for the Chargers. He was named two-time First Team All-GPAC. Then, Woodruff transferred to Pittsburg State University (2021-22) playing 24 games for the Gorillas. He was named an All-MIAA Honorable Mention in 2021. In addition, he was named First Team All-MIAA and All-American in 2022.
Duke Dawson is five foot ten and weighs 198 pounds. The 28-year-old from Cross City, Florida, made two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) and one pass breakup in one preseason game for the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023. The Steelers signed Dawson as a free agent on October 12, 2022, and was placed on the practice squad.
Before Pittsburgh, Dawson was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round (56th pick) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He was injured in 2018 when the Patriots won Super Bowl LIII and was later traded to the Denver Broncos.
He played two seasons in Denver making 27 tackles (17 solo, 10 assists), two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in four games. After Denver, Dawson signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2021 but he injured his groin and was later released.
Collegiately, Dawson played four seasons at Florida (2014-17) making 82 tackles (56 solo, 26 assists), 6.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions for 127 yards, three touchdowns, and two forced fumbles in 48 games for the Gators. He was named First Team All-SEC in 2017.
