The BC Lions announced on Wednesday that they have signed WR Keon Hatcher to a 2 season contract that will keep him in the black and orange through the 2027 season. The CFL’s reigning receiving leader was previously on a trajectory for free agency, had a deal not been reached.

Keon Hatcher – Arkansas (6’1, 212 lbs)

Hatcher dominated this past season as he led the league in receiving yards with over 200 yards more than 2nd place and 400 more than 3rd place. He caught 102 of his 145 targets this past season for 1,688 yards and 9 touchdowns. He added another 8 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs.

The last time another CFL receiver had over 1,600 receiving yards was Brandon Zylstra in 2017 with 1,687.

“Hatch epitomizes what it is to be a BC Lion.  He’s a dynamic playmaker that’s smart, tough, and puts the team before himself. “Stated Lions General Manager Ryan Rigmaiden. “As great as he’s become on the field, I’m just as proud of the leadership role he’s taken and the effect he has in our locker room.  I’m looking forward to what he and Nathan Rourke do in the future.”

Hatcher is coming off his 3rd 1,000-yard season over the last 4 seasons (2024 was limited to 11 games due to injury). He has played in 71 regular-season games in the CFL, all of which were with the BC Lions. Over that span, he has caught 305 passes for 4,779 yards and 22 touchdowns. He was a CFL All-Star in 2023 and 2025.

Prior to joining the CFL, Hatcher spent time in the NFL, beginning with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He spent time with various NFL teams, primarily on practice rosters, from 2017 up until ahead of the 2020 NFL season.

Hatch played his college ball with Arkansas, where he played in 47 games with 28 starts from 2012 to 2016. He caught 130 passes for 1,866 yards and 19 touchdowns with the program.