Micah Awe is back where it all began.
The veteran linebacker signed a two-year deal with B.C. on Tuesday, the first day of CFL free agency. The 31-year-old American will embark on his fourth go-round with the Lions after having spent the last two seasons with the Calgary Stampeders.
In 2023, Awe was a CFL all-star after establishing career highs in tackles (134) and interceptions (three) along with two sacks and a forced fumble. The five-foot-11, 216-pound Awe, had 78 defensive plays in 2024 (69 tackles, four special-teams tackles, five pass knockdowns).
Awe began his CFL career with B.C. in 2017 before signing with the NFL's New York Jets. He returned to the Lions in August 2018 then spent the '19 and '21 campaigns with Toronto and Ottawa, respectively.
Awe opened the '22 season B.C., but after being released he joined the Montreal Alouettes. Awe then headed to Calgary in 2023.
But Awe isn't the only free-agent acquisition making a return to B.C. Among the eight players signed by the Lions were linebacker Adam Konar and offensive lineman David Foucault, both Canadians who reached one-year agreements.
Konar, a Vancouver native who spent last year with Calgary, previously played for the Lions in 2019 and '21. The six-foot-eight, 323-pound Foucault, of LaSalle, Que., was previously with Edmonton (2022-24) but joined the Lions (2017-19) after starting his pro career with the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2014-16).
B.C. also signed veteran American quarterback Jeremiah Masoli to a one-year deal. Masoli, 36 spent the last three seasons with Ottawa but injuries limited him to just 17 appearances (eight starts).
Calgary shored up its defence by signing defensive backs Damon Webb and Adrian Greene and linebackers Derrick Moncrief and Fraser Sopik. The five-foot-11, 195-pound Webb was a CFL all-star last season with Ottawa, finishing second overall in tackles for a loss (eight) and tied for third in interceptions (five), returning two for touchdowns.
Moncrief, an American entering his eighth CFL season, was a '19 league all-star and Edmonton's 2022 outstanding defensive player nominee. Sopik, a six-foot, 209-pound Toronto native, earned a Grey Cup ring with the Argos last season but returns to Calgary (2019, 2021-22) while Greene, also of Toronto, started 14-of-16 games with B.C. in 2024.
Running back Jeshrun Antwi, who played his high school and university football in Calgary, also signed with the Stampeders after splitting last season with Montreal and B.C.
With Webb gone and the off-season release of cornerback Brandin Dandridge, Ottawa signed veteran CFL defensive backs Tunde Adeleke, Nafees Lyon and Amari Henderson. Adeleke is a former Carleton star who grew up in Ottawa while Lyon and Henderson are both Americans.
Adeleke is a two-time Grey Cup champion after helping Toronto win it all in 2024 and has previous CFL experience with Calgary (2017-18) and Hamilton (2019, 2021-23). Lyon has spent the last three seasons with Montreal (winning a Grey Cup in '23) while Henderson heads to the Canadian capital following three years with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Ottawa also added Canadian offensive lineman Peter Godber, quarterback Matt Shiltz and defensive lineman Christian Albright (both Americans).
Toronto signed Canadian receiver Hergy Mayala, defensive backs Darrius Bratton and Will Sutherland, defensive lineman Celestin Haba (all Americans) and re-signed import quarterback Cameron Dukes. But its biggest move was re-signing American running Ka'Deem Carey, the CFL's third-leading rusher with 1,060 yards last season, his first with the Grey Cup champions.
Saskatchewan added American quarterback Tommy Stevens, who was used primarily in short-yardage situations by Calgary last season. Stevens ran for 10 TDs, tying Winnipeg's Chris Streveler for the league lead.
Saskatchewan also signed Canadian offensive lineman Philippe Gagnon, an eight-year CFL veteran with Montreal (2016-18, 2021-24) and Ottawa (2019).
Winnipeg made the day's first move, coming to terms with Canadian receiver Gavin Cobb on a one-year deal just 14 minutes into the free-agent period. The Bombers also reached a two-year agreement with running back/kick-return Peyton Logan, who spent the previous three seasons with Calgary.
In addition, the Bombers came to terms with American receivers Reggie White Jr. and Jerreth Sterns and Canadian defensive Josh Hagerty on one-year deals. Before the start of free agency, the defending West Division champs re-signed veteran Canadian long-snapper Mike Benson to a one-year extension.
But Winnipeg lost defensive lineman Miles Fox and linebacker Brian Cole II — both Americans — and Canadian offensive lineman Liam Dobson to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Fox had three tackles in three regular-season appearances in 2024 while Cole recorded 28 total tackles (24 on defence), an interception and forced fumble in 11 regular-season contests.
Hamilton also re-signed Canadian receiver Brendan O'Leary-Orange and bolstered its secondary by adding veteran defensive back DaShaun Amos, a three-time Grey Cup champion ('18 with Calgary, 2022 and '24 with Toronto). Amos, 30, recorded a career-tying five interceptions last season and has 16 picks in 76 regular-season CFL games.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 11, 2025.
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
