The B.C. Lions signed defensive tackle Mayan Ahanotu to a future contract starting in 2026 on Friday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Mayan Ahanotu is six foot three and weighs 285 pounds. A native of Tampa, Florida, Ahanotu attended the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie minicamp in 2024. In 2025, he played for the Vegas Knight Hawks (IFL) with 17 tackles (7 solos, 10 assists), two tackles for loss, and one blocked kick in eight games, helping the Knight Hawks in the IFL Championship over the Green Bay Blizzard.
Collegiately, Ahanotu spent two seasons at Minnesota (2018-19) with one tackle (1 solo) in three games for the Golden Gophers. Then, Ahanotu transferred to Rutgers (2020-23) with 54 tackles (19 solos, 35 assists), 10.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 45 games for the Scarlet Knights.
Ahanotu was named a four-time Academic All-Big Ten, All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, two-time Team Captain, William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist, College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, and the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List.
