The Toronto Argonauts signed defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II, Demarcus Christmas, and Atlias Bell, and defensive back Ciante Evans on Wednesday.
Anthony Lanier II is six foot six and weighs 285 pounds. The 31-year-old from Savannah, Georgia, made 10 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble in 10 games for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2024.
The Washington Redskins signed Lanier II as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2016. He also had stints with the Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, and the New Orleans Saints. Lanier II made 14 tackles (11 solos, 3 assists), five tackles for loss, five sacks, six pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries in 15 regular season games for Washington.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Lanier II as a free agent on March 2, 2021. In 2023, he made 19 tackles and five sacks in 14 games. In four seasons in Saskatchewan, Lanier made 61 tackles, 16 sacks, and three forced fumbles in 42 games.
Collegiately, Lanier II played four seasons at Alabama A&M (2012-15) making 150 tackles (68 solos, 82 assists), 32.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, eight pass breakups, three force fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two blocked kicks in 41 games for the Bulldogs. He also played for Alabama A&M’s basketball team.
DeMarcus Christmas is six foot three and weighs 302 pounds. The 29-year-old from Bradenton, Florida, signed with the Edmonton Elks on July 23, 2024. In 2024, he made nine tackles and one sack in 10 games.
The Seattle Seahawks drafted Christmas in the sixth round (209th pick) of the 2019 NFL Draft. Christmas injured his back and the Seahawks released him on October 6, 2020. He also spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Christmas as a free agent on May 11, 2022. In 2022, Christmas made 22 tackles and one sack in 15 games. In 2023, he made 20 tackles and one sack in 15 games.
Collegiately, Christmas played five seasons at Florida State (2014-18) making 106 tackles (49 solos, 57 assists), 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 13 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble in 44 games for the Seminoles. He was named Third Team All-ACC in 2018.
Atlias Bell is six foot one and weighs 275 pounds. The 26-year-old New Orleans, Louisiana, went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. Bell signed with the Toronto Argonauts on February 20, 2024. Bell appeared in two preseason games for the Argonauts recording no stats.
The Argonauts released Bell on June 2, 2024. He re-signed with the Argonauts on July 23, 2024, and was placed on the practice squad. The Argonauts released him on September 11, 2024.
Collegiately, Bell played two seasons at Iowa Western Community College (2017-18) making 69 tackles (27 solos, 42 assists), 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 22 games for the Reivers.
Then, Bell transferred to the University of Houston (2019-22) making 83 tackles (41 solos, 42 assists), 15.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and one forced fumble in 37 games for the Cougars. He was named All-American Athletic Conference by Pro Football Focus in 2022.
Ciante Evans is five foot eleven and weighs 195 pounds. The 32-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas, signed with the B.C. Lions on February 14, 2024. In 2024, 31 tackles and two interceptions in 13 games.
Evans attended the Chicago Bears rookie minicamp in 2014. Next, he signed with the Calgary Stampeders in 2015 playing four seasons making 127 tackles, one tackle on special teams, nine interceptions, 14 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 48 games. In 2018, he helped the Stampeders beat the Ottawa Redblacks in the 106th Grey Cup.
In 2019, Evans played for the Salt Lake Stallions (AAF) making four tackles in four games before the league ceased operations after eight weeks into the regular season. Then, Evans signed with the Montreal Alouettes making 29 tackles and three interceptions for 61 yards in 13 games.
After the CFL season was canceled in 2020, Evans signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on February 9, 2021. He played two seasons in Hamilton with 69 tackles, two interceptions for 22 yards, and one punt return in 26 games.
The Montreal Alouettes signed Evans as a free agent on February 17, 2023. In 2023, he made 25 tackles and three interceptions in 11 games helping them win the 110th Grey Cup over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Collegiately, Evans played four seasons at Nebraska (2010-13) making 143 tackles (92 solos, 51 assists), 15 tackles for loss, five sacks, five interceptions for 56 yards, two touchdowns, ten pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 48 games for the Cornhuskers. He is a two-time First-Team All-Big 10.
