2018 CFL season underway with seven Bulldogs filling roster spots

FRESNO, Calif. – The CFL, a nine franchise league north of the border, is set to feature seven former Bulldogs scattered across the Great White North playing professionally as the 2018 season gets underway this weekend.

Tyquwan Glass (DB) – Montreal Alouettes
Zach Kline (QB) – Edmonton Eskimos
Kyle Knox (LB) – Montreal Alouettes
Claudell Louis (DT) – B.C. Lions
Tristan Okpalaugo (DE) – Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Anthony Orange (DB) – B.C. Lions
Kyrie Wilson (LB) – Winnipeg Blue Bombers

* as of 6/15/18, subject to change

Of the seven Bulldogs currently on an opening weekend CFL roster, Glass, Knox, Okpalaugo, Orange, and Wilson will be active while Kline and Louis will remain on their team's respective practice squads to start week one of the season.

Tyquwan Glass (DB) – Montreal Alouettes

Entering first season in the CFL after battling NFL free agency in 2017; spent time with the Los Angeles Rams last year.
Was with the Bulldogs for two seasons (2015-16); played in 23 games and made 19 starts.
Totaled 119 tackles, 21 pass deflections, one forced fumble and six interceptions in two seasons at Fresno State.
Invited to the 2017 East-West Shrine Game.

Zach Kline (QB) – Edmonton Eskimos

Entering second season with the Edmonton Eskimos.
Played quarterback at Fresno State for one season in 2016 as a graduate-transfer.
Started two games and played in seven for the Bulldogs in 2016; passed for 523 yards, completing 53 percent of his passes.

Kyle Knox (LB) – Montreal Alouettes

Entering third season in the CFL; spent first two with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The 29-year-old made 33 defensive tackles in 17 games last season, including eight as a starter.
Had stints on the Seattle Seahawks (2012), Jacksonville Jaguars (2013), New Orleans Saints (2013-14) and Dallas Cowboys (2015).
Played linebacker at Fresno State from 2008-11.
Led the 2008 Bulldogs in tackles for a loss with 8.0 as a redshirt freshman.
Rounded out his Fresno State career with 37 starts in 46 games played.

Claudell Louis (DT) – B.C. Lions

Acquired by B.C. as a free agent in May of 2018; participated in the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' training camp in 2017.
The Buffalo Bills signed Louis as an undrafted free agent in 2016. The Minnesota Vikings signed him after he was released by the Bills and he appeared in one preseason game for the Vikings.
Spent three years at Fresno State (2013-15) having redshirted as a transfer in 2013 before playing in 26 games and starting 13 over the next two years, starting all 12 games as a senior.
Was an honorable mention All-Mountain West selection as a senior in 2015; his 47 tackles on the season tied for the eighth-most among all defensive linemen in the MW that year.
Louis was born in Haiti and didn't move to the United States until 2001. He grew up playing soccer in Haiti and only played football for one year in high school.

Tristan Okpalaugo (DE) – Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Entering second year with Winnipeg and fourth season overall in the CFL; played for Toronto during his first two pro seasons (2014-15) and was in the NFL in 2016.
Appeared in 12 games, starting eight for Winnipeg in 2017. Finished the year with 34 tackles, six quarterback sacks, 22 quarterback pressures, one interception, one pass knockdown, one fumble recovery and three tackles for a loss.
Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Miami Dolphins in 2013. Was on the Vikings practice squad in 2013 and was signed by the Arizona Cardinals in 2016 and subsequently placed on injured reserve.
Played defensive end at Fresno State from 2009-12.
Broke out for 11.5 of his 20.5 career tackles for a loss as a senior in 2012.
Named a 2012 Burlsworth Trophy semifinalist.
Played in 25 games and started 19 in his junior and senior seasons after appearing in four games in his freshman and sophomore seasons. Walked-on to the team.

Anthony Orange (DB) – B.C. Lions

Anthony Orange, formally A.J. Jefferson, changed his legal name this past spring.
Entering fourth season in the CFL and now playing for his third CFL team having logged two seasons in Toronto (2015-16) and one with the B.C. Lions (2017).
Played for the Arizona Cardinals (2010-11) and Minnesota Vikings (2012-13).
Played cornerback at Fresno State from 2006-09.
Owns the single-season Fresno State record for yards per kickoff return (35.8, 2007).
Owns the last kickoff touchdown return by a Bulldog, recorded Nov. 7, 2008 (92 yards); posted three career kickoff returns for a TD.
Named a first-team All-American (return specialist) in 2007.

Kyrie Wilson (LB) – Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Entering second season with Winnipeg. Appeared in one game in 2017 for the Blue Bombers while spending the rest of the season on the practice roster.
Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders in 2016.
Played linebacker at Fresno State from 2011-15; played in 51 games and made 38 starts.
Finished his college career with 251 combined tackles (144 solo), 14.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions in 38 starts at linebacker.
As a senior in 2015 he had 74 tackles, three tackles for losses and two forced fumbles.
His 271 career tackles ranks No. 11 in school history.

Teams of the CFL
West Division
B.C. Lions
Calgary Stampeders
Edmonton Eskimos
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
East Division
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Montreal Alouettes
Ottawa Redblacks
Toronto Argonauts

Week 1 games
June 14: Edmonton (33) at Winnipeg (30)
June 15: Toronto at Saskatchewan – 6 p.m. PT
June 16: Hamilton at Calgary. – 4 p.m. PT
June 16: Montreal at B.C. – 7 p.m. PT

CFL rules dictate that each team must declare a 46-man roster. One hour prior to kickoff on game-day, two players are declared reserves and a 44-man roster consisting of 21 national players, 20 international players, and three quarterbacks is submitted to game officials and exchanged between clubs.

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Fresno State Athletics

2018 CFL season underway with seven Bulldogs filling roster spots

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Players Mentioned

Tyquwan Glass

A.J. Jefferson

Zach Kline

Kyle Knox

Claudell Louis

Tristan Okpalaugo

Kyrie Wilson

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