VANCOUVER — The BC Lions have signed four Americans, defensive back Stantley Thomas-Oliver, offensive lineman Joshua Donovan, defensive back Morice Norris and defensive lineman Colby Taylor, the team announced on Monday.
Thomas-Oliver was selected in round seven (221st overall) by Carolina in the 2020 NFL Draft. He appeared in 25 games with the team over three seasons and made 17 combined tackles. After spending 2023 on the New York Giants practice squad, he signed with the Detroit Lions for 2024 and was activated for their final regular season game.
RELATED
» Get ready for the 2026 season with insights, analysis and more
» Buy tickets for the 2026 season
» Subscribe to the CFL’s official YouTube channel
» Subscribe to the CFL’s newsletter for exclusive offers and league updates
Donovan was recently in training camp with the Toronto Argonauts after two seasons with the Montreal Alouettes. The Florida native made his CFL debut in Week 1 of 2024 as a starter at right tackle, appearing in a total of 17 regular season games that year.
Donovan suited up in 28 games with the Arizona Wildcats from 2019-22, helping the squad boast the sixth-best passing offence in a 2022 season where they averaged 30.8 points per game.
Norris signed with the Detroit Lions as a non-drafted free agent in 2024, appearing in one regular season game that year. Following an injury suffered in 2025 preseason, Norris was waived at the end of training camp.
Following two seasons and nine games at Orange Coast College, he transferred to Fresno State from 2021-23. After sitting out his first year as a redshirt, Norris recorded 194 total tackles (116 solo, 78 assisted), two interceptions, 4.5 sacks and 16 pass breakups. He earned Second-Team All Mountain West as a senior.
Taylor moves north after attending rookie mini-camps with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs. As a senior at West Florida in 2025, the South Carolina native registered eight tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery across 11 games.
In 20 games at Newberry College from 2023-24, Taylor made 70 total tackles (45 solo, 25 assisted), 22 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, a pair of forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
The Lions also announced the following players have been released from the roster:
American running back Peyton Barber
American offensive lineman Brock Bethea
American defensive back Bruce Harmon
American defensive back Marc Stampley
