CFL season kicks off Thursday, six Bulldogs on rosters

FRESNO, Calif. – While the much anticipated Fresno State football season is still a couple months away as well as the NFL season, Thursday marks opening day for the CFL.

The season kicks off with six former Bulldogs playing professionally for the league north of the border. Anthony Orange is the most veteran player of the group, while two rookies join the league in Matt Boateng and Aaron Peck.

Matt Boateng (DB) – Toronto Argonauts
Tyquwan Glass (DB) – Edmonton Eskimos
Claudell Louis (DT) – B.C. Lions
Anthony Orange (DB) – Edmonton Eskimos
Aaron Peck (WR) – Calgary Stampeders (Practice Squad)
Kyrie Wilson (LB) – Winnipeg Blue Bombers

* as of 6/13/19, subject to change

Matt Boateng (DB) – Toronto Argonauts

Lettered at Fresno State in 2018.
Canadian born, Boateng was eligible for the CFL Draft that is exclusive to what the league calls non-import players. Boateng was chosen in the second round, 18th overall pick, by the Argonauts. There are a total of eight rounds and 73 overall selections in the CFL Draft.
Appeared in all 14 games for the Bulldogs in 2018 and made one start at home against San Diego State on Nov. 17.
2018 season highlight came in the fourth quarter of the Mountain West Championship game, blocking an extra point that ultimately sent the game into overtime that allowed the Bulldogs to win the MW title.

Tyquwan Glass (DB) – Edmonton Eskimos

Lettered at Fresno State in 2015 and 2016.
Enters second season in the CFL with second team.
CFL debut came in 2018 with the Montreal Alouettes. Appeared in nine game and recorded 39 tackles.
At Fresno State, played in 23 games and made 19 starts over two seasons.
Totaled 119 tackles, 21 pass deflections, one forced fumble and six interceptions as a Bulldog.
Invited to the 2017 East-West Shrine Game.

Claudell Louis (DT) – B.C. Lions

Lettered at Fresno State in 2014 and 2015.
Enters second season in the CFL and second season with the B.C. Lions.
Named the Lions' Most Outstanding Rookie in 2018 registering 31 tackles and two sacks in 11 games.
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.

Anthony Orange (DB) – Edmonton Eskimos

Anthony Orange, formally A.J. Jefferson, changed his legal name in 2018.
Lettered at Fresno State in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
As the most veteran CFL player that went to Fresno State, he enters his fifth season in the CFL.
Joined Edmonton squad as a free agent after playing for the B.C. Lions in 2018.
Played in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals (2010-11) and Minnesota Vikings (2012-13).
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.

Aaron Peck (WR) – Calgary Stampeders (Practice Squad)

Lettered at Fresno State in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016.
Alike Boateng, Peck is embarking on his first season in the CFL signing as a free agent in April.
Peck's career since graduating from Fresno State has been stops with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and also signed with the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football league in August of 2018.
Recorded 93 catches for 1,211 yards and six touchdowns for the Bulldogs in four seasons.

Kyrie Wilson (LB) – Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Lettered at Fresno State in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Enters third season in the CFL, all with Winnipeg.
Played in seven games, and made two starts with each start coming in the playoffs.
Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders in 2016.
Played in 51 games and made 38 start at Fresno State.
Finished his college career with 271 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

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 13: Saskatchewan at Hamilton – 4 p.m. PT
June 14: Montreal at Edmonton – 6 p.m. PT
June 15: Ottawa at Calgary. – 4 p.m. PT
June 15: Winnipeg 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.

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.

Fresno State Athletics

CFL season kicks off Thursday, six Bulldogs on rosters

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