Ross Bolger

Ross Bolger

No. 48 – BC Lions
Position	Kicker, punter
CFL status	Global
Roster status	Practice roster
Personal information
Born	(2001-04-25) 25 April 2001 (age 24) Laois, Ireland
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight	207 lb (94 kg)
Career information
College	Dublin City Idaho State (2023–2024)
CFL draft	2025G: 1st round, 4th overall pick
Career history
BC Lions (2025–present)
Stats at CFL.ca

Ross Bolger is an Irish professional Canadian football kicker and punter for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Previously a Gaelic footballer, he played college football for the Idaho State Bengals. In February 2025, he was announced as having joined the NFL's International Player Pathway scheme. ^[1] He was later selected by the Lions in the 2025 CFL global draft.

Early life

He is from Killeshin in County Laois. ^[2] He completed his undergraduate degree at Dublin City University and a Masters degree in Communications from Idaho State University, in the United States. ^[3]

Amateur career

He was a Laois under-20 Gaelic football player who was also previously a rugby union player for Carlow RFC. Bolger took a two-year scholarship with NCAA Division I American football university team Idaho State Bengals in 2023, where he played as both a kicker and a punter. ^{[4] [5] [6]}

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight
5 ft 11+1⁄8 in (1.81 m)	207 lb (94 kg)
Values from Pro Day [7]

In February 2025, Bolger was announced as joining the NFL's International Player Pathway scheme. ^{[8] [9] [10]} That month, he participated in the NFL Combine. ^[11]

In April 2025, Bolger went undrafted in the 2025 NFL draft but was drafted in the 1st round (4th overall) by the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League in the 2025 CFL global draft. ^[12] He signed with the Lions on 5 May 2025. ^[13] On 1 June 2025, Bolger was assigned to the Lions' practice squad to start the 2025 CFL season. ^[14]

Personal life

Bolger is the son of former-Leinster GAA chairman, 2020 GAA presidential candidate, and Carlow chairman Jim Bolger. ^[15]

References

1. "Ross Bolger". ESPN. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
2. Hartnett - 23 December 2023, Alan. "'I'm living the dream' – Laois footballer Bolger bags American Football scholarship at Idaho". Laoistoday.ie. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
3. "'My life's completely changed' - Laois' Ross Bolger reveling at Idaho State". RTE. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
4. "Will combine tweaks mean more opportunities for specialists?". ESPN. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
5. "Laois' Ross Bolger to link up with Idaho State". RTE. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
6. "'Born to kick' - Taking a punt on Irish kicking talent". RTE. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
7. "Ross Bolger College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
8. "Irish duo join NFL international pathway". 27 February 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
9. O'Shea, Kerry (28 February 2025). "Two Irish athletes named to NFL's International Player Pathway program". Irish Central. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
10. "Irish kickers named on NFL's 2025 International Player Pathway programme". Sky Sports. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
11. "McNamee and Bolger impress at NFL Combine". RTE. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
12. "2025 Global draft tracker". Canadian Football League . Retrieved 29 March 2025.
13. "Lions Sign Six From CFL Draft & Duo From Global Draft". BC Lions. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
14. "BC Lions Transactions". BC Lions. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
15. Boyle, Donnchadh (9 June 2023). "Irish players for NFL? Ross Bolger getting chance to be a kicker with Idaho State football team a game-changer". Independent.ie. Retrieved 1 March 2025.