The BC Lions announced the signing of four American players on Monday, including defensive back Stantley Thomas-Oliver, offensive lineman Joshua Donovan, defensive back Morice Norris, and defensive lineman Colby Taylor.
The Lions have also released 4 Americans, including running back Peyton Barber, offensive lineman Brock Bethea, defensive back Bruce Harmon, and defensive back Marc Stampley.
DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver (6’0, 194 lbs)
Stantley Thomas-Oliver played his collegiate career at Florida International University from 2016-19. He initially played wide receiver, recording 36 receptions for 489 yards and one touchdown over his first 2 seasons. After switching to defence, he recorded 94 total tackles (77 solo, 17 assisted), 7 tackles for loss, 20 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. He was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team in 2016.
Thomas-Oliver was selected in the seventh round, 221st overall, by the Carolina Panthers in the 2020 NFL Draft. He appeared in 25 games with Carolina over three seasons, recording 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. He was released from Detroit in July 2025. He played in 6 NFL preseason games with Carolina, recording 13 solo tackles and 4 assisted tackles.
OL Joshua Donovan (6’6, 330 lbs) - Arizona
Joshua Donovan began his collegiate career at the JUCO level with Trinity Valley (TX) where he played from 2017 through 2018 and earned First Team All-SWJCFC honors in 2018. He was ranked as the third-best JUCO prospect in Texas by 247 Sports in 2018 and the 13th-best JUCO tackle in the country.
Donovan transferred to Arizona, where he played from 2019 through 2022, playing in 27 games with 18 starts, many of which were at guard.
Donovan played in 17 games for Montreal in 2024 with 17 starts at right tackle and provided reliable pass protection. He was recently in training camp with the Toronto Argonauts.
DB Morice Norris (5’11, 198 lbs)
Morice Norris began his career in JUCO Orange Coast College (CA), appearing in nine games over two seasons. He transferred to Fresno State from 2021-23, where he recorded 194 total tackles (116 solo, 78 assisted), 2 interceptions, 4.5 sacks, and 16 pass breakups over 27 games with 24 starts after redshirting his first year. He earned Second-Team All-Mountain West honours in 2023.
Norris signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2024, appearing in 2 regular-season games that year. Following an injury suffered in 2025 pre-season, he was waived at the end of training camp. He played in 3 preseason games for Detroit, recording 4 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles.
DL Colby Taylor (6’3, 260 lbs)
Colby Taylor played for Newberry College from 2023-24, where he played in 20 games and recorded 70 total tackles (45 solo, 25 assisted), 22 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. He transferred to West Florida for his senior season in 2025, where he registered eight tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery over 11 games.
Taylor attended rookie mini-camps with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs prior to signing with BC.