The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American defensive lineman A.C. Leonard to a two-year contract extension through the 2023 season.
The six-foot-two, 250-pound Leonard returns to the Riders after an ultra productive 2021 season. A relentless pass rusher, the 29-year-old earned the CFL sack title, recording a career-high 11 sacks in 11 regular season games while adding 41 defensive tackles, six tackles for loss, two pass knockdowns, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He also played in the West Semi-Final and West Final tallying another seven tackles and two pass knockdowns.
Leonard entered the league as a receiver with the B.C. Lions in 2015, after spending 2014 with the Minnesota Vikings. He switched to defensive line when he came to the Roughriders in 2016. From there, Leonard developed into one of the league’s best defensive ends, playing 78 career games on defence, making 200 tackles, 36 sacks, one interception and five forced fumbles.
He played the 2018 season with the Ottawa Redblacks and was named an East Division All-Star, before returning to Saskatchewan in 2019.
Leonard played two seasons at Tennessee State University at receiver, where he registered 1,174 yards and 11 touchdowns on 85 receptions.
