The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed linebacker Kyahva Tezino to the practice squad and released linebacker Ayo Oyelola on Monday.
Kyahva Tezino is six foot and weighs 235 pounds. The 29-year-old from Los Angeles, California, was drafted by the Birmingham Stallions in the 2026 UFL Draft. In 2026, he made 68 tackles (41 solos, 27 assists), three tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and one pass breakup in 10 games.
The New England Patriots signed Tezino as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He also had a stint with the Carolina Panthers. The Pittsburgh Maulers drafted Tezino in the 31st round (249th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. In 2022, Tezino made 86 tackles (56 solos, 30 assists), five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, eight sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles, and six pass breakups in nine games.
In 2023, Tezino made 94 tackles (53 solos, 41 assists), nine tackles for loss, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two touchdowns, and six pass breakups in ten games for the Pittsburgh Maulers.
In the USFL Playoffs, Tezino made 22 tackles (15 solos, 7 assists) and one fumble recovery in two games, leading the Maulers to the 2023 USFL Championship. He was named the All-USFL Team after the season. After the season, Tezino signed with the San Francisco 49ers with one tackle (1 solo) in three preseason games. Tezino re-signed with the Birmingham Stallions on December 27, 2023.
In 2024, Tezino made 70 tackles (38 solos, 32 assists), three tackles for loss, half a sack, and five pass breakups in 10 games. In the UFL Playoffs, Tezino made 15 tackles (8 solo, 7 assists), two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in two games, helping the Stallions win their third consecutive championship (2 USFL, 1 UFL).
The Stallions released him on August 19, 2024, and he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 20, 2024. Tezino made four tackles (1 solo, 3 assists) in one preseason game. The Steelers released him on August 26, 2024. Tezino re-signed with the Stallions on January 23, 2025. In 2025, he made 57 tackles (29 solos, 28 assists), five tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 10 games. In the USFL Conference Championship game against the Michigan Panthers, Tezino made five tackles (3 solos, 2 assists).
Collegiately, Tezino played four seasons at San Diego State (2016-19) with 290 tackles (150 solos, 140 assists), 32.5 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 47 games for the Aztecs.
He was named a two-time First Team All-Mountain West in 2018 and 2019, winner of the SDSU Byron H. Chase Memorial Trophy Defensive Player of the Year in 2018, and was named the New Mexico Bowl Defensive MVP in 2019.
Ayo Oyelola is five foot eleven and weighs 213 pounds. The 27-year-old from Dagenham, East London, re-signed with the Blue Bombers on June 8, 2026, and was placed on the practice squad.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers drafted Oyelola in the third round (22nd pick) of the 2021 CFL Global Draft. He appeared in one game, recording no stats. The Blue Bombers released him on November 25, 2021.
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Oyelola on May 13, 2022. In 2022, he made one tackle (1 solo) in three preseason games. He spent time on and off the practice squad. The Jaguars released him on April 15, 2024. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Oyelola on September 2, 2024. He spent the season on the practice squad and was released on January 11, 2025.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Oyelola to the practice squad on September 3, 2025. They released him on September 8, 2025.
Collegiately, Oyelola played American Football at the University of Nottingham. He was also a soccer player in his youth days and featured in the academies of teams such as Chelsea, Southend United, Dagenham and Redbridge, and Ebbsfleet.
