The B.C. Lions released wide receiver Rysen John and 15 other players on Saturday as part of the CFL’s final cuts.
Rysen John is six foot seven and weighs 246 pounds. The 27-year-old from Surrey, British Columbia, signed with the B.C. Lions on February 11, 2025. In 2025, John made one catch for 13 yards in two preseason games.
The Calgary Stampeders drafted John in the third round (21st pick) in the 2020 CFL Draft. However, John signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and was on their practice squad. In 2021, John played two preseason games for the Giants with six catches for 72 yards but was placed on injured reserve on August 24, 2021.
Then, the Chicago Bears acquired John via waivers from the New York Giants on May 11, 2022. John played one preseason game for the Chicago Bears in 2022 with one catch for one yard. The Calgary Stampeders re-signed John on February 20, 2023. In 2023, he made two catches for five yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in games. In 2024, he made two catches for 14 yards in six games.
Collegiately, John played two seasons at Vancouver College (2014-15) making 56 catches for 1,119 yards, and six touchdowns in 24 games for the Fighting Irish. In 2015, John made 48 catches for 1,017 yards (21.2 AVG), and five touchdowns in 13 games. John was named an All-Star after the season.
Then, John transferred to Simon Fraser (2016-19) making 132 catches for 1,928 yards, 20 touchdowns, five carries for 23 yards, one punt return for 11 yards, one tackle (1 solo), one forced fumble, and one blocked punt in 34 games for the Red Leafs.
In his final season, John had 53 catches for 861 yards, ten touchdowns, one forced fumble, and one blocked punt in ten games. He was named SFU’s Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year in 2019.
The following players were also released. They are running back Jordan Terrell, wide receivers Rashard Davis, Jared Gipson, Hayden Hatten, Juwan Manigo, and Preston Smith, offensive linemen Dre Doiron and M.J. Ale, defensive lineman Juliano Falaniko, linebacker Mike Smith Jr., defensive backs Johnny Dixon, Tanner Moku, Jordan Perryman, and A.J. Uzodinma, and kicker Mark McNamee.
The following players were placed on the practice squad. They are running back Deshaun Fenwick, wide receivers Seven McGee and Ezechiel Tieide, offensive linemen Alex Berwick and Tyran Hunt, defensive lineman Jalil Clemons, linebacker Devin Richardson, defensive backs Travian Blaylock and Jaylin Williams, long snapper Cam Foran, and kicker/punter Ross Bolger.
