The B.C. Lions signed wide receiver Preston Smith and released wide receiver Jalen Sample on Thursday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Preston Smith is six foot four and weighs 215 pounds. A native of Sterling Heights, Michigan, Smith made 36 catches for 540 yards, six touchdowns, five carries for eight yards, and one kick return for eight yards in 11 games for the Davenport Panthers. He was named First Team All-GLIAC in 2024.
Collegiately, Smith played two seasons at Adrian College (2020-21). In 2020, he made 16 catches for 334 yards in three games. In 2021, he led the team making 42 catches for 656 yards and six touchdowns in nine games for the Bulldogs.
Then, he transferred to Davenport University (2022-24) making 113 catches for 1,605 yards, six carries for three yards, and one kick return for eight yards in 31 games for the Panthers. He was named a two-time First Team All-GLIAC (2023-24) and Second Team All-GLIAC in 2022.
Jalen Sample is six foot four and weighs 200 pounds. The 26-year-old from Onalaska, Wisconsin, re-signed with the B.C. Lions on December 5, 2024.
The Washington Commanders signed Sample as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. He appeared in one preseason game against the Cleveland Browns in 2023 but did not record any stats. The Commanders released him on August 20, 2023.
The B.C. Lions signed Sample on January 10, 2024. In 2024, Sample made three catches for 47 yards in two preseason games. The Lions released him on June 2, 2024.
Collegiately, Sample played five seasons at Minnesota State (2018-22) making 114 catches for 1,898 yards, 14 touchdowns, and one carry for seven yards in 42 games for the Mavericks. He was named to the All-NSIC Team of Excellence, and a Semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2022.
