The BC Lions Football Club today announced that international defensive linemen Vantrel McMillan, Sha–Ki Holines, Mat Boesen and Lance McDowdell have been signed by the team.

McMillan (6’4”, 240) appeared in four games with the Montreal Alouettes last season notching four tackles and a sack. The Tennessee-Chattanooga grad was an All-Southern Conference second team selection as a senior in 2016 after recording 35 tackles and seven sacks.

Holines (6’3”, 260) joins the Leos after a four-year, 43-game stay at UMass that wrapped-up in 2017. The Springfield native tallied 46 solo stops along with seven sacks and 25 tackles for a loss during his time with the Minutemen.



Boesen (6’4”, 240) attended training camp with the Buffalo Bills last year after being signed by the club following a two-year stint at Texas Christian. The California native was a first-team All-Big 12 selection as a senior in 2017 rolling-up 40 tackles and 11 sacks.

McDowdell (6’4”, 310) spent his first season as a pro with the Jacksonville Sharks of the National Arena League last year. The Central Florida grad appeared in six games tallying a defensive stop and a sack.