The B.C. Lions signed wide receivers Deuce Watts and Jalen Sample, linebacker Mike Smith Jr., and defensive back Amechi “A.J.” Uzodinma on Thursday.
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. The Lions released him on November 22, 2024.
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.
Jalen Sample is six foot four and weighs 200 pounds. The 25-year-old from Onalaska, Wisconsin, signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. He appeared in one preseason game against the Cleveland Browns in 2023 but did not record any stats. The Commanders released him on August 20, 2023.
The B.C. Lions signed Sample on January 10, 2024. In 2024, Sample made three catches for 47 yards in two preseason games. The Lions released him on June 2, 2024. The Lions signed Sample to a future contract on October 9, 2024.
Collegiately, Sample played five seasons at Minnesota State (2018-22) making 114 catches for 1,898 yards, 14 touchdowns, and one carry for seven yards in 42 games for the Mavericks. He was named to the All-NSIC Team of Excellence, and a Semifinalist for William V. Campbell Trophy in 2022.
Mike Smith Jr. is six foot one and weighs 231 pounds. The 23-year-old from Flora, Mississippi, signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on August 19, 2024. He played one preseason game recording no stats. The Colts released him on August 25, 2024.
The B.C. Lions signed Smith Jr. on September 23, 2024. He spent over a month on the practice squad. The Lions released him on November 3, 2024. The B.C. Lions signed Smith Jr. to a future contract on November 5, 2024.
Collegiately, Smith Jr. played three seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast (2019-21) making 248 tackles (151 solos, 97 assists), 19 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions for 66 yards, and 10 pass breakups in 27 games for the Bulldogs. He was named First Team All-MACCC in 2021.
Next, Smith Jr. transferred to Liberty in 2022 making 69 tackles (39 solos, 30 assists), eight tackles for loss, one interception for 22 yards, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 11 games for the Flames. Then, he transferred to Baylor in 2023 making 25 tackles (18 solos, 7 assists), three tackles for loss, one sack, and one pass breakup in five games for the Bears.
Amechi “A.J.” Uzodinma II is five foot eleven and weighs 189 pounds. The 24-year-old from Orlando, Florida, signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. In 2023, Uzodinma II made seven tackles (4 solos, 3 assists) in one preseason game before an injury sidelined him and he was placed on injured reserve.
The Chargers released him on March 12, 2024. The B.C. Lions signed Uzodinma II on September 23, 2024. He spent several weeks on the practice squad before he was released on November 3, 2024. The B.C. Lions signed him to a future contract on November 6, 2024.
Collegiately, Uzodinma II played five seasons at Ball State (2018-22) making 172 tackles (138 solos, 34 assists), four tackles for loss, two sacks, 10 interceptions for 134 yards, one touchdown, 44 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and 22 kick returns for 511 yards in 57 games for the Cardinals. He was named Second Team All-MAC in 2019 and was named the Ball State John Hodge Award (most valuable freshman) in 2018.
