The BC Lions announced on Wednesday the signing of six American wide receivers including Jeff Cotton, Taylor Grimes, Charles Headen III, Ed Lee, Mataio Talalemotu, and John Ursua.

The BC Lions currently have 6 wide receivers pending to enter free agency including Jevon Cottoy, Keon Hatcher, Alexander Hollins, Lucky Whitehead, Terry Williams, and Daniel Petermann. The only receiver who dressed for the Lions in the playoffs who was not a pending free agent is Dominique Rhymes.

Jeff Cotton – Idaho (26 y/o, 6’2, 204 lbs)

(University of Idaho Athletics)

Cotton signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2020 where he spent the 2020 on the practice squad. He spent 2021 on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad and dressed for 1 game in week 17. He was waived by the Jaguars on August 30, 2022. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad in mid-September and was released 6 days later. Cotton signed with the Green Bay Packers practice Squad on November 9, 2022, where he spent the remainder of the season. He signed a reserve/future contract in January and was waived by the Packers this past July.

Cotton played his final two seasons of collegiate football with Idaho in the Big Sky Conference. He appeared in 21 games for Idaho compiling 1,797 yards on 137 receptions and 14 touchdowns. In his final season, he had 88 receptions for 1,141 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2019.

Cotton spent his first 2 seasons with Pima Community College where he had 62 receptions for 1,163 yards and 7 touchdowns over 19 games.

Taylor Grimes – Incarnate Word (23 y/o, 5’10, 186 lbs)

(University of the Incarnate Word Athletics)

Grimes signed with the Denver Broncos in May of 2023 and was waived in late August prior to the start of the regular season.

Grimes played his final 2 seasons of collegiate football for Incarnate Word where he had 15 touchdowns and over 1,100 yards in both seasons totalling 170 receptions for 2,366 yards and 30 touchdowns over 28 games. He was named All-Southland Conference in both seasons.

Grimes played his first 3 seasons with Illinois State where he compiled 21 receptions for 394 yards and 2 touchdowns over 13 games played.

Charles Headen III – Shippensburg, SMU (25 y/o, 5’7, 181 lbs)

The Indoor Football League initially announced this signing through their social media on December 5. Headen III was the IFL’s Special Team’s Player of the Year in 2023 with the Frisco Fighters.

“I feel like I bring an athlete that’s going to give you his all every time he steps on the field. I have the speed to stretch a defense and have the return ability to give the offense great field positioning. I am also a great person off the field. I’m somebody who takes pride in being a great locker-room teammate. Being a good teammate is very important to me.” Charles Headen III told CFL News Hub when asked what he believes to be his greatest assets to a football club on and off the field.

Full article on the Charles Headen III signing

Ed Lee – Rhode Island (24 5’10, 185 lbs)

(University of Rhode Island Athletics)

Lee signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and was released on August 2nd. He signed a non-binding letter of intent with the Orlando Guardians whose future is uncertain among the XFL’s merger with the USFL on December 14 prior to signing with the BC Lions.

Lee played his college football with the Rhode Island Rams where he appeared in 37 games compiling 86 receptions for 1,262 yards and 8 touchdowns. In his final season, he had 56 receptions for 908 yards and 5 touchdowns over 11 games in 2022. He was named second-team All-CAA as a receiver in 2022 and third-team as a punt returner during which he returned 14 punts averaging 11.3 yards per return.

Mataio Talalemotu – Portland State (25 y/o, 6’0, 195 lbs)

(Portland State University Athletics: Ralph Greene)

Talalemotu attended a mini-camp with the Tennessee Titans in the offseason ahead of the 2023 season.

Talalemotu played in 38 games for the Portland State Vikings compiling 121 receptions for 1,857 yards and 16 touchdowns. In his final season in 2022, he had 27 receptions for 482 yards and 8 touchdowns over 9 games played. Talalemotu was a Big Sky Conference Honorable Mention in 2022.

John Ursua. – Hawaii (29 y/o, 5’9, 182 lbs)

(University of Hawaii Athletics: Harry Caston)

Ursua declared for the NFL Draft a year early and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round, 236th overall. Urusa appeared in three games in 2019 recording one reception for 11 yards. He spent the 2020 season on the practice squad with the Seahawks. In 2021 he suffered a torn ACL in the second preseason game and was placed on injured reserve.

Ursua signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders this past season on September 12 and was released on September 27.

Urusa played his collegiate football with Hawaii appearing in 33 games with 31 starts. He recorded 189 receptions for 2,662 yards and 24 touchdowns. In his final season, he played in 13 games and had 89 receptions for 1,343 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2018. Urusa was named All-Mountain West in 2018.

Jonathan Clink on Twitter
You Might Also Like:
Canadian Quarterback Kurtis Rourke is Going to the Big 10, Commits to Indiana
Stanford Receiver Elic Ayomanor Wins Jon Cornish Trophy, Top Canadian in NCAA
BC Lions Sign Wide Receiver Charles Headen III, IFL Special Teams Player of The Year
Grey Cup Report MTL 28-24 WPG
CFL Eastern Final Report MTL 38-17 TOR
CFL Western Final Report WPG 24-13 BC
CFL Eastern Semi-Final Report MTL 27-12 HAM
CFL Western Semi-Final Report BC 41-30 CGY