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BC Lions Add Quarterback, Wide Receiver on Opening Day of Free Agency

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Dakota Prukop and Montreal Alouettes wide receiver Jake Harty signed with the BC Lions on one-year contracts Tuesday.

The BC Lions quarterback room got a bit smaller going into free agency, with only Vernon Adams Jr. and Chase Brice listed on the roster. That changed early Tuesday when the team announced the signing of Dakota Prukop. The Lions also shared they were bringing in Grey Cup-winning wide receiver Jake Harty.

The 30-year-old Prukop is coming off his second season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers following a USFL run. He also previously played for the Toronto Argonauts (2017-2019) and Edmonton Elks (2021).

Prukop was primarily featured as a short-yardage specialist for Winnipeg, and his career stats include 570 rushing yards and 15 rushing scores in 57 games, along with 676 passing yards and six touchdowns. Early in his career, he contributed on special teams, where nine of his 10 total tackles came.

As mentioned earlier, Prukop has other experience in professional football after spending the 2023 season with the New Jersey Generals as their backup quarterback. He had 312 yards passing with three touchdowns while adding 97 rushing yards and one score.

Nov 19, 2023; Hamilton, Ontario, CAN; Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Dakota Prukop (12) scores a touchdown against the Montreal Alouettes in the second half at Tim Hortons Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

After two seasons with Winnipeg, Dakota Prukop is joining the BC Lions' quarterback room in 2024.

Harty is a veteran of the CFL after being drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks with the tenth overall pick in the 2015. He spent last season with the Montreal Alouettes, becoming a Grey Cup champion after producing four receptions for 36 yards in 14 games.

The Lions get another quarterback under contract after losing original backup quarterback Dane Evans to retirement. Brice has not thrown a professional pass in his career, so Prukop looks like he is currently in line for the backup job.

This is on the heels of the team losing star defensive lineman Mathieu Betts to the NFL after he signed with the Detroit Lions. Free agency kicked off for the CFL on Tuesday.

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