It was a Riderville revival last year as Head Coach Corey Mace was able to inject a cultural change, leading the Roughriders to a second-place finish in the West with a 9-8-1 record along with a home playoff game.
This year, the expectations will be heightened for the green and white as they try and win the first Grey Cup since 2013.
Quarterbacks:
Trevor Harris, Jake Maier, Tommy Stevens, Jake Coan, Michael Hiers
Harris returns for his third season as the starting QB for the Roughriders. Since arriving in Riderville, the soon-to-be 39-year-old (May 31) has experienced a pair of significant injuries. In 2023, he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 6.
Last year, he was limited to 12 games as he suffered a MCL Sprain. Harris finished the 2024 campaign leading Saskatchewan with 3,264 passing yards and 20 touchdowns with 9 interceptions.
After using young pivots including Mason Fine, Jake Dolegala and Shea Patterson to back up Harris the last two seasons, the Roughriders acquired a pair of quarterbacks from the Calgary Stampeders that will be familiar with offensive coordinator Marc Mueller.
Maier will bring a veteran presence to the backup role after he was the starting quarterback for the Stamps the last two seasons. During that span, he had 8,085 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. Already armed with four years of experience in the CFL, the Fullerton, California product turned 28 last month.
Stevens will be deployed as the Roughriders short yardage quarterback. A three-year-veteran in the CFL, Stevens only had 82 passing yards with Calgary during that time but also had 685 rushing yards. Rider fans will likely remember the 28-year-old's longest run in 2024, a 69-yard dash to the endzone in Week 16.
Running Backs
AJ Ouellette, Khalan Laborn, Thomas Bertrand-Hudon, Trent Pennix, Mario Anderson, Albert Awachie
Even though he’s only been a member of the Roughriders for one season with his blue-collar hard-hitting style, Ouellette has established himself as a fan favourite in Saskatchewan. He was limited to eight games after he was sidelined with a hip injury and ended up with 558 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. With the departure of Ryquell Armstead, there’s no question the Covington, Ohio product will be the bell cow in the Roughriders backfield.
There should be competition for the backup role at running back. Along with Armstead, Frankie Hickson hasn’t re-signed with the Roughriders.
Laborn arrives in Saskatchewan after replacing Armstead in Ottawa last season. He had over 300 rushing yards in six games.
Bertrand-Hudon enters his third season with the Roughriders and could challenge for more playing time as National backup. In a Week 17 matchup against Ottawa, the 28-year-old stepped in and had 72 rushing yards and a touchdown following an injury to Armstead.
Anderson is a rookie who had over 1,300 rushing yards with the Memphis Tigers (NCAA) and had 8 games of 100+ rushing yards.
Pennix spent last season on the Indianapolis Colts practice squad after playing collegiately with North Carolina State
Awachie returned to the Roughriders last year after starting the season in Toronto. He’s entering his 8th season in the CFL and will be inserted at fullback and special teams.
Wide Receivers
Samuel Emilus, Kian Schaffer-Baker, Shawn Bane Jr., KeeSean Johnson, Dohnte Meyers, Mitchell Picton, Dhel Duncan-Busby, Ja’Marcus Bradley, Jayden Horace. Ty James, Drae McCray, D’Sean Mimbs, Brayden Misseri, Tommy Nield, Joe Robustelli, Wayne Ruby Jr, Daniel Wiebe
There will be plenty of familiar targets for Harris with the Roughriders receiving core, with Emilus, Schaffer-Baker, Bane Jr., Johnson, Meyers, Picton, Duncan-Busby, all returning for another season.
Emilus had over 1,000 receiving yards for second straight year in 2024 along with five touchdowns. Over the last two seasons, the 27-year-old has played in 35 regular season games along with two playoff games last year.
After battling significant injuries the last two seasons, Schaffer-Baker will be looking to remain on the field throughout the season. He missed the beginning of the 2023 season recovering from a hip injury and missed time last year with a shoulder injury. His best season came in 2022 with 960 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns.
Bane Jr is back for his third season in green and white, after arriving from Calgary in 2023, he would go on to lead the CFL in receptions. His 2024 season was cut short after he suffered a knee injury against Ottawa.
With injuries to the receiving core in 2024, Johnson took advantage of an opportunity to emerge as a top target, finishing with 746 yards in 12 games along with five touchdowns.
Meyers was another beneficiary of the injuries to the Saskatchewan receivers, appearing in five games with 349 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Picton has developed into a reliable player in his hometown. A 5th round pick in 2017, the former Regina Ram is entering his 6th season with the Roughriders.
Duncan-Busby showed flashes as a National gamebreaker in his rookie campaign in 2024, he had 92 receiving yards in Week 17 against Ottawa and saw an increasing number of targets following his debut in August.
Nield comes to Saskatchewan with four years of experience, his best season was in 2023 when he had 384 receiving yards in 9 games.
Offensive Line
Logan Ferland, Jermarcus Hardrick, Jacob Brammer, Phillipe Gagnon, Sean McEwen, Trevon Tate, Zack Fry, Nick Jones, Julius Buelow, Payton Collins, Daniel Johnson, Brandon Kemp, Jake Levengood, Braydon Noll, Noah Zerr, Jahmir Ross-Johnson
What was once considered the weak point of the Roughriders, the offensive line should be a stronger unit for the squad.
Ferland enjoyed a career-season in 2024, ending up as the Western Division nominee for Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman. The versatility of the Melfort product was on display as he was called upon to move around the offensive line and fill in at four different spots. The hope for this season is that he can stay at one position in 2025.
Hardrick was one of Roughriders top offseason acquisitions in 2024, coming over from the hated Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Hardrick was quick to establish himself as veteran leader at right tackle, but an early-season injury limited his contributions on the field.
McEwen is another former Stampeder now sporting green and white. He was named the Stamps top offensive lineman in 2024 and has been named an All-CFL on three separate occasions. The eight-year veteran began his career in Toronto and helped the Argos win a Grey Cup in 2018.
Gagnon was an off-season addition that will bring more experience to the trenches. A first-round selection in 2017, Gagnon has spent seven of eight seasons with the Montreal Alouettes and was the team’s starting left guard when they won the Grey Cup in 2023.
Tate will be one of the candidates to replace the departed Trevor Reid at left tackle. Tate joined the Roughriders last season as a replacement for Hardwrick at right tackle. He began 2024 in Calgary and has five years of experience including stops in Toronto and Hamilton.
After filling in 2024, Brammer will be looking for an increased role this season. He played in five games and saw action in the playoffs.
Jones was another player who saw action last year due to injuries. He started four games at right guard and one at right tackle.
A second-round selection in 2022, Fry started eight games last year.
Zerr is another former second-round selection by the BC Lions in 2022. He has spent time with the Lions and Hamilton Ti-Cats.
Defensive Linemen
Micah Johnson, Mailk Carney, Mike Rose, Shane Ray, Charbel Dabire, Lake Korte-Moore. Caleb Sanders, Habakkuk Baldonado, Benoit Marion, Kolade Amusan, Eric Black, Kendy Charles, Alex Gubnar, Justin Jefferson, Octavious Oxendine, Aaron Patrick, Jordan Smith
There will be plenty of changes to the Roughriders defensive line led by the departures of Anthony Lanier II (Toronto), Miles Brown (Calgary) and Bryan Cox Jr. (Toronto).
Entering his 12th season in the CFL, Johnson is showing no signs of slowing down. Last year he had 6 sacks and was even called upon to fill in at offensive line on multiple occasions due to injuries.
Rose joins the Roughriders after spending the last seven seasons in Calgary where he was named an All-CFL for three straight seasons (2021-23). His best season came in 2023 when he had 11 sacks, last year he had 6 sacks.
Carney returns for his second season with the Green and white after beginning his career in Hamilton. Like the majority of the squad last year, Carney battled injuries, as he played in 13 games, he had four sacks on the edge in 2024.
Ray will bring championship experience from both sides of the border. A former first-round selection by the Denver Broncos in 2015, he won a Super Bowl with the Broncos in 2016. He joined the Toronto Argonauts in 2022. Ray was on the team’s injured list when the Argos won the Grey Cup in Regina. He returned to the NFL in 2023, spending time with Buffalo and Tennessee before coming back to the CFL and signing with Saskatchewan.
Originally joining the Roughriders in 2019 after being selected in the 5th round, Dabire has become a mainstay on the team’s defensive line. Despite only playing in four games in 2024, he matched a career high 2 sacks, with both coming in Week 3 against Hamilton.
Korte-Moore enters his third season in Saskatchewan after he was a first-round pick in 2023. He has seen action in 34 games over the past two seasons and even received a look from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) after his rookie season.
After he joined the Roughriders in 2023, Sanders saw his first significant action with the team in 2024, picking up 3 sacks in 13 games and will likely see time as part of the team’s defensive line rotation.
Baldonado was a Global Draft selection in 2023, he played in 14 games last year, had a pair of sacks and a special teams tackle.
Last year, Marion spent time with the Roughriders, Toronto and Hamilton. He had one sack in Saskatchewan. The Montreal product spent his first three years in the league with the Argos.
Linebackers
Jameer Thurman, C.J. Reavis, C.J. Avery, AJ Allen, Jordan Herdman-Reed, Justin Herdman-Reed, Melique Straker, Zachary Philion, Braxton Hill, Liam Hoskins, Seth Hundeby, Aubrey Miller Jr, Nick Wiebe
A big part of the Roughriders free agent group in 2024, Thurman filled in the spot that was vacated by the void by Larry Dean. In 17 games, Thurman had 76 tackles, two interceptions including one returned for a touchdown, along with a sack. He was a divisional All-CFL last year.
Even though he’s listed as defensive back, Reavis will likely be deployed as the team’s wide-side linebacker. The former Virginia Tech Hokie established career highs last year in tackles (89) and sacks (4). Reavis was named an All-CFL in 2024.
In the past, Saskatchewan has used a national player at weak side linebacker, but with ratio changes on their roster, they will likely use an American full-time at the position. Avery played in 17 games last year and had 50 tackles with 3 interceptions. He joined the Riders after spending 2023 in the XFL.
A key component of the Roughriders special teams unit during his first two seasons, Allen saw his first significant action on defence. He returned an interception for a touchdown against BC in Week 19. Allen also continued his strong play on special teams, finishing for a tie for the most special teams tackles in the CFL last year.
Both Justin and Jordan Herdman-Reed have provided consistent special teams play in 2021. Although Jordan did join Calgary in 2023 before returning to Saskatchewan in 2024.
Defensive Backs
Rolan Milligan Jr, Tevaughn Campbell, Marcus Sayles, DaMarcus Fields, Nelson Lokombo, Jayden Dalke, Jaxon Ford, Kerfalla Exume, Tyrique McGhee, Kosi Onyeka, Richard Aduboffour, Gideon Agyei, Antoine Brooks Jr, Nicario Harper, Eddie Heckard, Robert Javier, Leon Jones, Phalen Sanford, Alfahiym Walcott, Mark Webb
A healthy Rolan Milligan Jr showed what he was capable of in 2024. Following a serious toe injury that sidelined him for the majority of the 2023, Milligan returned last year and ended up as Saskatchewan’s nominee for Most Outstanding Player, Special Teams Player and was the Western Division nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Milligan Jr led the CFL interceptions (8), tied a career high with 71 tackles and added 20 special teams tackles. The 30-year-old is locked up through the 2026 season.
Campbell joins the Roughriders after spending the last six seasons in the NFL with the New York Jets, LA Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Jacksonville Jaguars. The former Regina Ram also spent time in the CFL in Saskatchewan and Montreal. Campbell will likely provide some ratio flexibility as a National starter at wide side cornerback.
Sayles joined the Roughriders after he was released by the BC Lions in training camp and would go on to have a solid season in green and white. He had a career-high four interceptions and would go on to be an All-CFL.
Lokombo became the starter at safety in 2024. He had 44 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. The former USask Huskie will be entering his fourth season with Saskatchewan.
Dalke started last season at safety. He will provide depth for the Riders at both safety and wide side linebacker along with being a part of the team’s special teams.
The grandson of former Rider player and general manager Al Ford, Jaxon Ford will try and spend the season on the field after he missed half of the 2024 season recovering from a wrist injury. He helped the Riders win the 2023 Labour Day Classic with knockdown pass in overtime on the final play against Winnipeg.
Fields played in 18 games in 2024 as a rookie and recorded his first CFL interception in Week 2 against Hamilton and will be battling for a spot opposite of Milligan Jr.
Exume joins Saskatchewan after five seasons in the league with Winnipeg, Montreal and Toronto. He has provided strong special teams in the past, finishing second in the league with 25 special teams tackles. He has won a pair of Grey Cup Championships.
Onyeka has also spent most of his three years with the Roughriders helping their special teams unit. In 2023, he finished second in special teams tackles with 17.
Specialists
K Brett Lauther, K Ben Hadley, P Joe Couch, P Bailey Flint, LS Jorgen Hus, KR Mario Alford
Lauther had one of his best seasons with Saskatchewan in 2024 as he was 53/64 (82.8%) in field goal attempts and had a career high 198 points. His longest field goal last year was 55 yards. The Truro NS product has been with the Roughriders since 2018.
There will be a battle at the position punter following team moving Adam Korsak to the retired list. Couch is an Australian product who was on the Riders practice roster in 2024. Flint is also from Australia and saw action in 8 games with the Hamilton Ti-Cats back in 2023.
Alford returns for his fourth campaign with the Roughriders. He was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player of the Year in 2022. On August 3, he returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown against Edmonton. He’s the third player in Roughrider history to have over 5,000 return yards.
The Roughriders will meet the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in their two preseason games. On Saturday, May 24 they meet in Winnipeg and in Regina on Friday, May 30.
Saskatchewan will begin the season on home turf against the Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday, June 5.