Nafees Lyon (born December 10, 1996) is an American professional football defensive back.
High School and College
Lyon attended Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was a member of the football team, and part of two North Carolina 4AA state champion teams in 2013 and 2014.[1]
He committed to the Charlotte 49ers football team for college. Lyon used a redshirt season his first year in college in 2015. He then played from 2016 to 2020, missing the 2017 season due to injury.[2] He played in 40 games in four seasons where he recorded 137 total tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.[3]
Professional career
Edmonton Elks
Lyon signed with the Edmonton Elks on January 11, 2021.[4] He began the 2021 season on the practice roster, but he made his professional debut on October 29, 2021, against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats where he had six defensive tackles. He played and started in the five regular season games where he had 27 defensive tackles and two interceptions.[3]
In 2022, he played in eight regular season games for the Elks where he had 25 defensive tackles, one sack, one interception, and one forced fumble.[3]
Montreal Alouettes
On August 31, 2022, Lyon was traded to the Montreal Alouettes along with Thomas Costigan in exchange for Avery Ellis and a third-round pick in the 2023 CFL draft.[5] In his first game as an Alouette, on September 9, 2022, he scored his first career touchdown on a 52-yard interception return against the BC Lions.[6] He played in six regular season games for the Alouettes where he had 27 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, one interception, and one touchdown.[3]
Ottawa Redblacks
Lyon signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on February 11, 2025.[7] However, he was released prior to the start of 2025 training camp on May 2, 2025.[8]
Saskatchewan Roughriders
On October 6, 2025, it was announced that Lyon had signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.[9]
On May 13, 2026, Lyon was released by the Roughriders.[10]
Personal life
Lyon was born to parents Tobin and Belinda Lyon and has one brother, Tobin II.[2]
References
- ^ Nafees Lyon – Football – Charlotte. Charlotte Athletics. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ a b “Nafees Lyon”. Charlotte 49ers. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
- ^ a b c d “Nafees Lyon”. Montreal Alouettes. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
- ^ “Transactions – Football player trades and signings”. Canadian Football League. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
- ^ “Elks acquire Ellis, draft pick from Als in exchange for Costigan, Lyon”. Canadian Football League. August 31, 2022.
- ^ “BC Lions vs Montreal Alouettes”. Canadian Football League. September 9, 2022.
- ^ “Redblacks sign defensive backs Tunde Adeleke, Nafees Lyon, Amari Henderson”. ottawaredblacks.com. February 11, 2025. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
- ^ “Transactions – Football player trades and signings”. Canadian Football League. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ “Roughriders add Db Nafees Lyon”. Saskatchewan Roughriders. October 6, 2025.
- ^ Heilman, Michael. “Saskatchewan Roughriders sign DB Malcolm Bell, release 11 players”. BGMSportsTrax.com. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
External links
- Saskatchewan Roughriders profile
Media related to Nafees Lyon at Wikimedia Commons
