B.C. Lions sign Vanderbilt standout Tyson Russell

Photo: Handout/B.C. Lions

The B.C. Lions have signed American defensive back Tyson Russell.

The five-foot-eleven, 185-pound defender was a collegiate standout at Vanderbilt University, where he made 92 total tackles, one interception, and five pass knockdowns over 44 games.

The native of Plantation, Fla. attended training camp with the Detroit Lions earlier this year but was waived at its conclusion.

Russell is the son of seven-year NFL defensive back Twan Russell, who played for the Washington Football Team, Miami Dolphins, and Atlanta Falcons.

The B.C. Lions finished second in the West Division standings in 2025 with an 11-7 record and beat the Calgary Stampeders in the West Semi-Final before losing the West Final to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Nathan Rourke threw for 5,290 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions over 16 regular-season starts, posting an 11-5 record. He was also named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player.

The Lions ranked first in net offence, fourth in net defence, and sixth with a turnover differential of minus-four. James Butler rushed for 1,213 yards, Keon Hatcher led the CFL with 1,688 receiving yards, and Micah Awe led the league with 117 tackles. B.C. finished third in attendance with average crowds of 27,124, which was a 0.9 percent increase from the previous year.