The B.C. Lions selected punter Brett Thorson and tight end Seydou Traore in the 2026 CFL Global Draft on Wednesday.
Brett Thorson is six foot two and weighs 235 pounds. The 26-year-old from Melbourne, Australia, was drafted by the B.C. Lions in the first round (7th pick) of the 2026 CFL Global Draft. The Minnesota Vikings signed Thorson as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2026.
Collegiately, Thorson spent four seasons at Georgia (2022-25), punting the ball 156 times for 7,115 yards (45.6 AVG), with a long of 75 yards, 12 touchbacks, 78 fair catches, 78 from inside the 20-yard line, 48 from 50-plus yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 52 games for the Bulldogs.
In 2025, he punted the ball 46 times for 2,094 yards (45.5 AVG), with a long of 66 yards, four touchbacks, 25 fair catches, 23 from inside the 20-yard line, and 15 from 50-plus yards in 12 games. He won the Ray Guy Award in 2025, which is awarded to college football’s top punter. He was also named Second Team All-American by the AP.
Seydou Traore is six foot four and weighs 235 pounds. The 23-year-old from London, England, was drafted by the B.C. Lions in the second round (16th pick) of the 2026 CFL Global Draft. He was also drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round (180th pick) of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Collegiately, Traore spent two seasons at Arkansas State University (2021-22) with 62 catches for 752 yards, four touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 23 games for the Red Wolves. In 2022, he was named First Team All-Sun Belt after finishing the season with 50 catches for 655 yards, four touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 12 games.
Then, he transferred to Mississippi State University (2023-25) with 69 catches for 728 yards, six touchdowns, and three tackles (3 solos) in 25 games for the Bulldogs. In 2025, he made 35 catches for 367 yards, five touchdowns, and three tackles (3 solos) in 13 games. He was invited to the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl.
