The B.C. Lions signed defensive back and special teams returner Lawrence Woods III, and released offensive lineman Martez Ivy on Tuesday.
Lawrence Woods III is five foot nine and weighs 182 pounds. The 28-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri, did not play for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2025 due to a shoulder injury.
The New Orleans Saints signed Woods as an undrafted free agent on May 14, 2021. Then, the Tiger-Cats signed Woods on April 21, 2022. In 2022, Woods had 43 kickoff returns for 990 yards, one touchdown, three tackles, and nine tackles on special teams in 14 games. In 2023, Woods III had 14 kickoff returns for 277 yards, 20 tackles, and two tackles on special teams in seven games.
The B.C. Lions signed Woods III on December 7, 2023. They released him on May 2, 2024. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Woods III on May 6, 2024. In 2024, Woods III had 30 kick returns for 607 yards, 38 punt returns for 470 yards, one touchdown, five tackles, and three tackles on special teams in 10 games.
Collegiately, Woods played four seasons at Truman State University (2016-19) with 79 tackles (49 solos, 30 assists), three tackles for loss, two sacks, five interceptions for 67 yards, one touchdown, 27 pass breakups, one forced fumble, one blocked punt, 18 kick returns for 869 yards, five touchdowns, six punt returns for 52 yards, one catch for nine yards, and two carries for 33 yards in 25 games for the Bulldogs. He was named Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2019.
Martez Ivey is six foot three and weighs 304 pounds. The 31-year-old from Apopka, Florida, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on February 17, 2026. In 2026, Ivy started at right tackle in two games. The Redblacks released him on June 24, 2026. The B.C. Lions signed Ivy to the practice squad on August 4, 2026.
The New England Patriots signed Ivey as an undrafted free agent on July 20, 2019. In 2019, Ivey played four preseason games. The Patriots released him on August 30, 2019. Next, Ivey was drafted by the Tampa Bay Vipers (XFL) in the second round (13th pick) in Phase 2 of the 2020 XFL Draft. In 2020, he played five games before the league suspended operations due to COVID-19.
Then, Ivey signed with the Carolina Panthers on April 6, 2021. In 2021, Ivey played three preseason games. The Panthers released him on August 28, 2021. The Toronto Argonauts signed Ivey on October 15, 2021. He played one game for the Argonauts in 2021.
The Edmonton Elks acquired Ivey from the Argonauts on June 5, 2022, for a 2023 sixth-round draft pick. In 2024, Ivy started 18 games. Edmonton’s offense averaged 28 points per game, 390.3 net offense per game, 131.4 rushing yards per game, 271.7 passing yards per game, and 29 sacks allowed, finishing 7-11 in the 2024 season. He was named a CFL West All-Star. In four seasons with Edmonton, Ivey has played 66 games.
Ivy re-signed with the Elks on January 13, 2025. In 2025, Ivey started 18 games. Edmonton’s offense averaged 21.9 points per game, 314.7 yards per game, 244 passing yards per game, 98.1 rushing yards per game, 40 touchdowns, and allowed 52 sacks, finishing 7-11 for the season. The Elks released him on February 13, 2026.
Collegiately, Ivey played four seasons at the University of Florida (2015-18), playing left guard in 49 games for the Gators. In 2018, Florida’s offense allowed 18 sacks for the season, ranking 20th in the country. They averaged 35 points per game, 213.2 rushing yards per game, 213.54 passing yards per game, 426.7 total yards per game, and 57 touchdowns, finishing 10-3 for the season, defeating Michigan in the Peach Bowl 41-15. Ivey was named a two-time Second Team All-SEC and the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2015.
