The B.C. Lions signed defensive end Juliano Falaniko and released wide receiver Duece Watts on Friday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Juliano Falaniko is six foot four and weighs 245 pounds. The 25-year-old from Pago Pago, American Samoa, signed with the B.C. Lions on November 27, 2024. In 2024, Falaniko made four tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble in five games. The Lions released him on November 3, 2024.
Collegiately, Falaniko played five seasons at USC (2017-21) with 21 tackles (13 solos, 8 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss, half a sack, and one fumble recovery in 37 games for the Trojans. Then, he transferred to Idaho in 2022 with 38 tackles (14 solos, 24 assists), 6 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, one pass breakup, and 1 forced fumble in 11 games for the Vandals.
Natorian “Duece” Watts is six foot one and weighs 196 pounds. The 24-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2023. He played three preseason games making one catch for nine yards. The Packers released him on August 29, 2023.
Then, Watts signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 20, 2023, and spent the season on the practice squad. In 2024, Watts played three preseason games making two catches for 14 yards. The Steelers released him on August 27, 2024. The B.C. Lions signed Watts on September 23, 2024. He spent the rest of the 2024 season on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Watts played two seasons at Jones College (2018-19) making 47 catches for 702 yards, five touchdowns, one carry for 13 yards, seven kick returns for 196 yards, one punt return for 13 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 22 games for the Bobcats.
Then, Watts transferred to Tulane (2020-22) making 81 catches for 1,407 yards, 16 touchdowns, two carries for three yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 37 games for the Green Wave.
