Training camp 2025

[David]

Very informative interview with Ryan Rigmaiden yesterday on Donnie and Dhali show here.. I recommend this listen because he identifies the players he is high on. McEvoy/Campbell in the past were non-committal on "naming names." Rig spills the tea!

* Said the Oline has held the team back for the last couple of years. Dejon Allen a big upgrade at right tackle.

* Again, VERY effusive praise for George Una. He is "everything we hoped." "Last year, had a tremendous rookie mini-camp. We weren't able to get him on the field. That was something we probably should have done" (kind of tossing Bates/Campbell under the bus for continuing to play Chungh despite his struggles last year?). Said these two additions are going to make the line significantly better.

* Seems to be most optimistic about our running back recruits, that they have upgraded the position. "Going to give everyone a run this year" (perhaps implying that James Butler is not a lock to start?). They have added more speed.

* Christian Covington added some weight in the off-season (he thought he was a little light last year). Has taken the next step as leader. Ryan is excited to see him take that next step.

* When Donnie asked who is most excited about, Rig immediately went the the RB position. Zander Horvath has the toughness they're looking for (Brady Oliveira traits perhaps?).

* Said the return game "had to improve," then mentioned that Jermaine Jackson will compete right away, who has the "juice and long speed" that has been missing. Jason Huntley will also compete.

* Believes Tyler Coyle and AJ Uzodinma will be excellent in the secondary and has them penciled in for roster expansion.

* Mentioned the names Devin Richardson and Mike Smith as two players to watch at linebacker (Smith was a late season addition last year).

* Player with the most fanfare is Kemoko Turay who went 52nd overall to the Colts a few years ago. A "big, long pass rusher with burst and bend."


DH

[B.C.FAN]

Rookie camp wound up Friday afternoon with a padded practice that featured a some hitting in the final team session as players got their final chance to make an impression and earn a ticket to main camp next week. There weren't many who stood out, unfortunately. The 16 rookie receivers dropped a lot of passes and quarterbacks didn't help them by overthrowing most of their deep balls. I hope the Buck Pierce offence looks better when veterans take the field on Sunday.

Chase Brice and Jeremiah Masoli again took most live reps in team play. Nathan Rourke threw but is obviously being saved for the real action. Rookie Garrett Shrader tweaked a leg early and spent the first half of practice stretching and riding the bike on the sidelines. He returned later but didn't see much action.

One receiver who has been noticeable in camp is Jermaine Jackson from Idaho, who is one of the contenders to replace Terry Williams as kick returner. He's only 5 ft. 7 but he has shown an ability to get open deep. He caught a TD pass on a post pattern in skelly but he also missed other opportunities to catch deep balls.

Defensive players have been more noticeable in camp, which is probably a good thing because the Lions likely have openings for rookies to start in the secondary and rotate at linebacker and on the defensive line.

Cornerback Robert Carter, who was just signed Thursday, again made an impression with the only interception on Friday, which came in the end zone on 1 on 1s.

For what it's worth, here are the players taking heavy reps in rookie camp. At the very least, they're most likely to make it to main camp. About a dozen players won't.

OFFENCE:
LT Tyran Hunt
LG Kory Woodruff (a second-year player who will likely hold that position when main camp opens Sunday)
C Aex Berwick (draft pick Connor Klassen has also had reps)
RG M.J. Ale (X'Zauvea Gadlin has also had reps)
RT Tairiq Stewart
RB Jordan Terrell (second year player looking to fend off some highly touted recruits)
WR Ed Lee (his second camp with the Lions. He led all receivers in a 2024 preseason game in Calgary)
WR Colton Meikle (Kamloops Bronco in his second camp. He still has a few years of junior eligibility)
WR David Durden
WR Joseph Scates

DEFENCE
DE Julian Falaniko (second-year player who dressed for 5 games in 2024, with 4 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble)
DT Xavier Henderson
DT Tomasi Lailile (injured Thursday, and not dressed Friday)
DE Kemoko Turay (second-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 who has bounced around several NFL teams)
LB Mike Smith Jr. (2024 practice roster player who is expected to compete for a regular spot in the rotation)
LB Devin Richardson (another rookie expected to compete for a roster spot)
CB Myles Brooks (probably had his best day on Friday)
HB A.J. Uzodinma (expected to compete for a regular spot in the secondary)
S Jackson Findlay (second-round draft pick who plays like a veteran, and is especially strong against the run)
NKL Tyler Coyle (a contender for the vacant starting position. Travian Blaylock is also in the mix)
HB Jaylin Williams (another contender for a starting position)
CB Robert Carter (earned first-team reps in his second day of rookie camp)

I didn't watch many of the 1-on-1s involving offensive and defensive linemen, and it's impossible to evaluate line play form the sideline grandstand. I'll try to pay more attention in main camp, but I've been saying that for years. Either way, I'll be happy when training camp opens for real on Sunday.

[maxlion]

Thank you for the outstanding reports, BC Fan. Witbout your reports and insight, we'd be completely in the dark!

[The_Pauser]

Thank you for the outstanding reports, BC Fan. Witbout your reports and insight, we'd be completely in the dark!

I second this. Our local media is sadly non-existent at these things, but really ought to pay BC FAN to do these reports for them. They’re gold. Every year I come back here specifically for these reports.

[Gridiron Ernie]

Amen to what the fellows say... you provide us a clear window with a very nice view, B.C.FAN. I'm always tempted to rename you T.C.FAN at this point of training camp.

[TheLionKing]

Thank God for BC Fan's report. Global so called Sports Department is a joke. CBC and CTV has done away with their sports department. Does the Sun and Province even have a sports section ??

[Qman]

Rookie camp wound up Friday afternoon with a padded practice that featured a some hitting in the final team session as players got their final chance to make an impression and earn a ticket to main camp next week. There weren't many who stood out, unfortunately. The 16 rookie receivers dropped a lot of passes and quarterbacks didn't help them by overthrowing most of their deep balls. I hope the Buck Pierce offence looks better when veterans take the field on Sunday.

Chase Brice and Jeremiah Masoli again took most live reps in team play. Nathan Rourke threw but is obviously being saved for the real action. Rookie Garrett Shrader tweaked a leg early and spent the first half of practice stretching and riding the bike on the sidelines. He returned later but didn't see much action.

One receiver who has been noticeable in camp is Jermaine Jackson from Idaho, who is one of the contenders to replace Terry Williams as kick returner. He's only 5 ft. 7 but he has shown an ability to get open deep. He caught a TD pass on a post pattern in skelly but he also missed other opportunities to catch deep balls.

Defensive players have been more noticeable in camp, which is probably a good thing because the Lions likely have openings for rookies to start in the secondary and rotate at linebacker and on the defensive line.

Cornerback Robert Carter, who was just signed Thursday, again made an impression with the only interception on Friday, which came in the end zone on 1 on 1s.

For what it's worth, here are the players taking heavy reps in rookie camp. At the very least, they're most likely to make it to main camp. About a dozen players won't.

OFFENCE:
LT Tyran Hunt
LG Kory Woodruff (a second-year player who will likely hold that position when main camp opens Sunday)
C Aex Berwick (draft pick Connor Klassen has also had reps)
RG M.J. Ale (X'Zauvea Gadlin has also had reps)
RT Tairiq Stewart
RB Jordan Terrell (second year player looking to fend off some highly touted recruits)
WR Ed Lee (his second camp with the Lions. He led all receivers in a 2024 preseason game in Calgary)
WR Colton Meikle (Kamloops Bronco in his second camp. He still has a few years of junior eligibility)
WR David Durden
WR Joseph Scates

DEFENCE
DE Julian Falaniko (second-year player who dressed for 5 games in 2024, with 4 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble)
DT Xavier Henderson
DT Tomasi Lailile (injured Thursday, and not dressed Friday)
DE Kemoko Turay (second-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 who has bounced around several NFL teams)
LB Mike Smith Jr. (2024 practice roster player who is expected to compete for a regular spot in the rotation)
LB Devin Richardson (another rookie expected to compete for a roster spot)
CB Myles Brooks (probably had his best day on Friday)
HB A.J. Uzodinma (expected to compete for a regular spot in the secondary)
S Jackson Findlay (second-round draft pick who plays like a veteran, and is especially strong against the run)
NKL Tyler Coyle (a contender for the vacant starting position. Travian Blaylock is also in the mix)
HB Jaylin Williams (another contender for a starting position)
CB Robert Carter (earned first-team reps in his second day of rookie camp)

I didn't watch many of the 1-on-1s involving offensive and defensive linemen, and it's impossible to evaluate line play form the sideline grandstand. I'll try to pay more attention in main camp, but I've been saying that for years. Either way, I'll be happy when training camp opens for real on Sunday.

Lions didn’t press release cuts last night but guys gone from roster this morning shrader QB, scates WR, Stewart OL, Lailie DL

[B.C.FAN]

Training camp opened Sunday morning under sunny skies in Kamloops.

Veterans were obviously happy to hit the field, and brought more energy and a lot more chatter than the rookies last week. It's great to watch practice without having to look up the numbers of most players on the field.

As expected the Lions opened with a veteran first-team offensive unit. Former all-CFL right tackle Dejon Allen, acquired from the Argos in a trade for Ryder Varga, was dressed but spent practice stretching on the sideline with back spasms. Veteran G/T Chris Schleuger took his reps at the position.

Rookie Jared Gipson and second-year WR/KR Stanley Berryhill split reps as the fifth receiver. Otherwise, the offence was made up of familiar names and numbers.

Tyler Coyle at nickelback was the only rookie on the first-unit defence that also featured several free agent acquisitions and second-year Lions.

Here are players taking first-team reps on both sides of the ball:

OFFENCE
LT Jarell Broxton
LG Kory Woodruff
C Michael Couture
RG George Una
RT Chris Schleuger
QB Nathan Rourke
RB James Butler
WR Keon Hatcher
WR Justin McInnis
WR Stanley Berryhill and Jared Gipson
WR Jevon Cottoy
WR Ayden Eberhardt


DEFENCE
DE Sione Teuhema
DT Jonah Tavai
DT DeWayne Hendrix
DE Mathieu Betts
WLB Ben Hladik
MLB Micah Awe
BCB Garry Peters
HB Jalon Edwards-Cooper
S Christophe Beaulieu
NKL Tyler Coyle
FHB Ronald Kent Jr.
FCB Deontai Williams

The offence also ran a lot of reps with one or two tight ends, an indication of the new coaching staff's emphasis on the running game.

Chase Brice took second-team reps at QB ahead of Jeremiah Masoli. CFL Quarterback intern Alex La Vecchia UBC was on the field for the first time. Rookie Garrett Shrader is gone.

Justin McInnis picked up where he left off last year, catching balls in tight coverage all over the field, including a deep TD pass against rookie Travian Blaylock in 1 on 1s and a grab on an in route against former Rider Deontai Williams..

Keon Hatcher caught a deep corner route from Rourke on a busted coverage in one team session. Blaylock, a contender for the nickelback position, was the nearest defender.

Second-year draft pick Ezechiel Tieide looks ready to take the next step in his development. He had the best catch of Day 1, with a one-handed grab on a post pattern under the goalposts against second-year DB Ronald Kent Jr.

Rookie Rashard Davis also beat Kent on a deep TD pass from La Vecchia.

Jevon Cottoy also caught a deep post against Kent in 1 on 1s and had a nice grab on a tipped ball against rookie Kole Jones but he also had a couple of uncharacteristic drops.

Edwards-Cooper had a nice knockdown on a comeback route.

Newly signed receiver Seven McGee, wearing number 77, also showed good hands in limited action in his first practice.

Gipson had a catch against Peters.

Rookie cornerback Robert Carter, taking second-team reps, continued to make an impact with an interception off Chase Brice in skelly and forcing a fumble by Jermaine Jackson in the final team session.

Rashard Davis had a couple of diving grabs in skelly.

The first practice didn't feature much work on special teams. Rookie Irish kicker Ross Bolger was booting 50-yard field goals with at least 5 yards to spare. Sean Whyte kicked with Global P/K Carl Meyer as his holder, a job that previously belonged to ex-Lion punter Stefan Flintoft. Jeremiah Masoli held for Bolger on his attempts.

Berryhill, former NFL RB/KR Jason Huntley and rookie receivers David Durden, Jermaine Jackson, Rashard Davis and Juwan Manigo took reps in punt-return drills.

Kyle Nelson did all long-snapping, with Riley Pickett on the coverage team.

[SammyGreene]

Fantastic reports B.C. FAN. As others have stated we would be in the dark otherwise. Thanks so much. Grateful you moved to Kamloops!

How well this secondary plays and meshes together will play a big part in how this season unfolds. League wide the QB depth hasn’t been this good in recent memory.

TSN is only televising 2 pre-season games and both are back east. Sure hope the league will at least provide video feed on their website so we can see what happens next Monday in Victoria.

[Qman]

Fantastic reports B.C. FAN. As others have stated we would be in the dark otherwise. Thanks so much. Grateful you moved to Kamloops!

Moving Kent Jr to boundary half is bold move where he will be targeted even more. How well this secondary plays and meshes together will play a big part in how this season unfolds. League wide the QB depth hasn’t been this good in recent memory.

TSN is only televising 2 pre-season games and both are back east. Sure hope the league will at least provide video feed on their website so we can see what happens next Monday in Victoria.

Every non TSN game is on CFL+ (via cfl.ca website). It’s basically jumbotron feed with radio play by play.

I assume starlight has jumbotron so hopefully we get a feed on that game.

It’s actually pretty awesome to hear to talented radio crews around the league, cause we’re in for 6 months of same old guys from TSN.

[Hambone]

I assume starlight has jumbotron so hopefully we get a feed on that game.

From pics I found it looks like they have a Jumbtron although Jumbo might not be the operative word. It looked like it was a bit bigger than a 24'W x 8'H soccer goal. Maybe 30'W x 12'H to 15'H, probably smaller than the orriginal BC Place screen back in 1983. I suppose that's irrelevant. Only thing that would be important is being able to cut into whatever is feeding the screen.

[Toppy Vann]

* Seems to be most optimistic about our running back recruits, that they have upgraded the position. "Going to give everyone a run this year" (perhaps implying that James Butler is not a lock to start?). They have added more speed.

Great reports as always BC Fan.

As to the above comment in quotes, I was wondering if this meant that we'll see more than a RB or FB carrying the ball off handoffs/tosses like the Bombers have done.

Didn't see it in these write ups but read a McInnis comment on Buck's offense that he liked the variety (my words ) of assignments that are planned this season for BC REC'rs.

[B.C.FAN]

* Seems to be most optimistic about our running back recruits, that they have upgraded the position. "Going to give everyone a run this year" (perhaps implying that James Butler is not a lock to start?). They have added more speed.

Great reports as always BC Fan.

As to the above comment in quotes, I was wondering if this meant that we'll see more than a RB or FB carrying the ball off handoffs/tosses like the Bombers have done.

Didn't see it in these write ups but read a McInnis comment on Buck's offense that he liked the variety (my words ) of assignments that are planned this season for BC REC'rs.

I haven’t noticed any changes to the running game other than a bit more emphasis on the power game with one or two tight ends. James Butler is obviously RB1, and the Lions love his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. We haven’t seen much of that yet. In one of the team sessions today, the offence lined up on their own one-yard line and tried to run against the first-team defence. They couldn’t.

[Hambone]

* Seems to be most optimistic about our running back recruits, that they have upgraded the position. "Going to give everyone a run this year" (perhaps implying that James Butler is not a lock to start?). They have added more speed.

Great reports as always BC Fan.

As to the above comment in quotes, I was wondering if this meant that we'll see more than a RB or FB carrying the ball off handoffs/tosses like the Bombers have done.

Didn't see it in these write ups but read a McInnis comment on Buck's offense that he liked the variety (my words ) of assignments that are planned this season for BC REC'rs.

I haven’t noticed any changes to the running game other than a bit more emphasis on the power game with one or two tight ends. James Butler is obviously RB1, and the Lions love his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. We haven’t seen much of that yet. In one of the team sessions today, the offence lined up on their own one-yard line and tried to run against the first-team defence. They couldn’t.

Installing offenses is a step by step or layered thing. I'd expect them to start out the first few sessions by building the base vanilla or foundation before they start adding the bells and whistles.

[David]

I am wondering how Bene's defense will differ from RP's, if at all? For example, more blitzing? More 3-4 formations? Last year we took away the deep ball for the most part, but clubs were able to exploit us underneath. I thought our tackling, overall, was quite poor.


DH