The Saskatchewan Roughriders unveiled their training camp roster on Saturday, complete with numbers for each of the team’s new players.
Below are twelve big additions to Rider Nation along with the numbers they will be wearing on July 10 when training camps get underway following a seven-day quarantine for all players.
Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
DL Freddie Bishop III — No. 95
The 31-year-old made 40 tackles and six sacks with the Argos in 2019 and will wear No. 95 in Green and White. With Chad Geter retiring and Charleston Hughes signing with Toronto, Bishop III could see a lot of playing time rushing off the edge.
OL Brett Boyko — No. 68
The Saskatoon native signed with his hometown Riders after being released by the B.C. Lions following a difficult 2019 campaign. Boyko can be pencilled in as a starter at guard with Brendon LaBatte electing not to play in 2021.
LB Larry Dean — No. 10
The four-year CFL veteran is taking over at middle linebacker from future Hall of Fame inductee Solomon Elimimian, who retired in February. A good omen for Rider fans: Dean is wearing the same number that Elimimian wore last season.
LB Jordan Herdman-Reed — No. 53
The Riders lost Canadian linebacker Cameron Judge in free agency but added the Herdman-Reed twins to help fill the void. Jordan made 45 total tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble with the Lions in 2019 and will continue wearing No. 53.
LB Justin Herdman-Reed — No. 58
Justin posted career-best numbers in 2019 despite appearing in just eleven games, making 42 total tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles. He wore No. 45 with Toronto and No. 48 at Simon Fraser University prior to turning pro.
REC Terrell Jana — No. 82
Saskatchewan’s second-round pick in the 2021 CFL Draft will wear No. 82 as a rookie. Jana wore No. 13 at Virginia where he developed into one of the most pro-ready prospects in the draft, making 36 receptions for 423 yards and one touchdown in his final season.
OL Evan Johnson — No. 64
The Regina native signed with his hometown team following a three-year stint with the Ottawa Redblacks. He’s a shoo-in to start at guard with Dariusz Bladek and Philip Blake departing for Toronto and Dakoda Shepley now in the NFL.
LB Deon Lacey — No. 45
The 30-year-old hasn’t appeared in a CFL game since 2016 when he was a member of the Elks. Lacey wore No. 45 during his three-year stint with Edmonton during which he established himself as an elite special teams tackler.
DB Nelson Lokombo — No. 21
The No. 2 overall selection in the 2021 CFL Draft will compete for a starting role in training camp as Saskatchewan looks to start two Canadians in the secondary. Lokombo wore No. 25 with the Saskatchewan Huskies and will now move to No. 25 with the Riders.
QB Paxton Lynch — No. 4
The former first-round NFL draft pick signed with the Riders last week and is looking to get his professional career back on track after sitting out of the 2020 season. Saskatchewan doesn’t have a veteran backup behind Cody Fajardo, so there’s room for Lynch to win a spot.
DB Godfrey Onyeka — No. 26
The former second-round CFL draft pick signed with the Riders as a free agent following a two-year stint with Edmonton. Capable of starting at cornerback and safety, Onyeka is moving to No. 26 after wearing No. 23 with the Elks.
OL Mattland Riley — No. 54
The former Saskatchewan Huskie was the Riders’ first-round pick in the 2020 CFL Draft and will get an opportunity to play right away. Riley has experience at centre and guard, which bodes well for a team that has lost a lot of depth along the offensive line since 2019.
