The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American running back Shaquille Cooper. He was with the team in training camp but was released following its conclusion in June.
The five-foot-ten, 190-pound ball carrier spent the 2021 season with the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He made 33 carries for 142 yards and one touchdown and 11 receptions for 69 yards with B.C. In Winnipeg, Cooper made eight punt returns for 19 yards and five kickoff returns for 108 yards.
Prior to signing with the Lions, the 29-year-old spent two seasons with the Edmonton Elks, suiting up for seven games. He rushed for 496 yards and two touchdowns, including a career-high 128 yards against the Toronto Argonauts in late July.
The native of Coral Gables, Fla. was a star over three seasons at Fort Hays State (2012, 2015-16). He rushed 456 times for 2,768 yards and 19 touchdowns while making 73 receptions for 736 yards and ten scores. As a sophomore in 2015, he was named a Don Hansen All-American Honourable Mention and all MMIA first-team running back.
