(Vancouver) The BC Lions Football Club announced today that import receivers Darius Passmore and Kerry Reed along with import defensive end Abraham Wright, import linebacker Andy Shantz and non-import linebacker Steve Faoro have been signed to the club’s practice roster.
Passmore most recently attended Marshall University in 2007 and 2008. He was a Second Team Conference USA All-Star in 2008 after recording 56 catches for 945 yards and seven touchdowns, along with 21 rushes for 195 yards and two TD’s. The Florida City, FL native led all California junior college players in 2005 with 18 TD’s before transferring to Marshall.
Reed was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007 out of Michigan State. After spending a year moving between Miami’s active roster and practice squad he signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 and was released during training camp. Reed attended Michigan State University in 2005 and 2006 after transferring from Coffeeyville JC (Kansas) and was an impact player for the Spartans after starting three games in his first season and ultimately leading the team in receiving as a senior with 64 receptions for 775 yards.
Wright comes to the Lions after being released by the Miami Dolphins in 2008. He was originally drafted by the Dolphins in the seventh round in 2007 (238th overall) after three-year career at the University of Colorado. While with the Buffs, Wright appeared in 36 games recording 75 tackles, 29 tackles for a loss and 21 sacks.
Shantz attended Portland State University in 2007 and 2008 where he appeared in 20 games recording 99 tackles, 24 tackles for a loss and three sacks. Shantz was a college teammate of current Lions left tackle Daren Heerspink. Following his days at Portland State, Shantz was an undrafted free agent signing of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Faoro is a Coquitlam, BC native who played four seasons at Acadia University. In addition to being named an AUS All-Star in 2004 and 2005 he was also named the AUS Defensive Player of the Year in 2005. The following season, Faoro was a Hec Creighton nominee as well as an AUS Second Team All- Star.