The B.C. Lions have added a pair of Americans to their training camp roster, signing defensive lineman Jonah Tavai and American defensive back Chris Cooper.
Tavai played 48 games over four seasons at San Diego State, amassing 147 total tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 24 sacks and two forced fumbles. A three-time All-Mountain West selection at defensive tackle, he was named a first-team All-American by both Pro Football Focus and Bleacher Report in 2022 after notching 10.5 sacks for the Aztecs as a senior. The Associated Press and USA Today both presented him with second-team honours.
The five-foot-10, 283-pound pass rusher went unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft before signing with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent. He suffered an injury and was waived prior to training camp.
A native of Inglewood, Cal., Tavai is the youngest of four brothers to play professional football. The eldest, J.R., played two seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks and one with B.C., retiring with 73 defensive tackles, 11 special teams tackles, 10 sacks and five forced fumbles. Middle sibling Jahlani was a second-round NFL Draft pick in 2019 and plays for the New England Patriots, who also invited his brother Justus for training camp last year.
Cooper played three seasons at Stony Brook University, recording 147 total tackles, nine pass breakups, four interceptions and a fumble recovery in 33 games. After going unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft, he enjoyed stints with the Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers but never saw game action.
The five-foot-11, 200-pound safety played for the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks in 2023, recording 29 total tackles in nine games.
The Lions will open their season on Sunday, June 9 when they visit the Toronto Argonauts.
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