Taylor Shire
Regina Leader-Post
Another season of Saskatchewan Roughriders football is here as the Green and White officially kickoff training camp on Sunday in Saskatoon.
After an off-season of change in 2024 that saw an entirely new coaching staff enter the fold, Saskatchewan’s lineup of coaches and starting players has remained quite consistent this off-season as the group looks to take another step forward under second-year head coach Corey Mace.
With the CFL club expected to be a contender in the West Division this year, there aren’t as many questions or concerns as in year’s past, but there’s still some things that will be worth watching:
1. Ouellette’s new physique
Running back A.J. Ouellette reportedly shed 25 pounds this off-season and is considered fully healthy as training camp gets underway after being limited to eight regular season games and two playoff games last year.
The question is: How will the transformation affect his running style?
Ouellette, who said he’s not going to get below 200 pounds, has been known as a bruising running back who isn’t afraid to take a hit to gain an extra yard or two. In fact, he welcomes it. However, after being nagged by hip injuries last season in his first year with the Roughriders, will he change his approach to how he plays this year as he looks to stay healthy?
2. Happy Harris
Quarterback Trevor Harris, who signed a one-year extension this off-season, enters camp with the same offensive coordinator from last season in Marc Mueller.
And as the quarterback noted in the past, this is the first time since 2018 that he’s had that luxury.
Without having to learn a new playbook this season, how big of a step forward can Saskatchewan’s offence take this year with a healthy Harris, Ouellette and a full returning cast of receivers including Samuel Emilus, Kian Schaffer-Baker and KeeSean Johnson? We’re about to find out.
3. Quarterback question
While they’ve kept their starting quarterback, the Riders brought in former Calgary Stampeders starter Jake Maier this off-season to serve as a backup.
With Saskatchewan moving on from last year’s backup Shea Patterson, who made his first career start when Harris was injured, the Riders now have the ultimate insurance policy in Maier, as he has 45 career CFL starts under his belt.
But with Tommy Stevens, another former Stampeder, handling short yardage, where does this leave Jack Coan on the depth chart?
Last year’s third-string QB stuck around all year before getting some playing time in the final game of the season. However, with three guys ahead of him, does he go to the practice roster or look for an opportunity elsewhere?
4. Canadian content
As mentioned, the Roughriders have a strong cast of returning receivers. All that’s left to figure out is how many Canadians they will deploy in their starting lineup.
We know Emilus and Schaffer-Baker will be two Canadian starters along with Johnson, an American. If Shawn Bane Jr. is fully recovered from his knee injury suffered late last season, he should be a starter, leaving one position up for grabs. (Bane is expected to miss the start of camp as he was placed on the injured list.)
Does that spot belong to an American like Dohnte Meyers, who looked good in his rookie season? How about a newcomer like Ja’Marcus Bradley or Ty James?
Even though they don’t need to start a Canadian based on the ratio, Saskatchewan certainly can with the talent they have including Dhel Duncan-Busby, Mitch Picton and Tommy Nield.
5. Offensive line
The Roughriders have plenty of talent with starting experience along the offensive line. But who will be forced into a backup role this year?
Right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick is expected to be healthy after missing most of last season. He’s a starter along with left tackle Trevon Tate, who will replace Trevor Reid.
Sean McEwen was brought in during free agency to replace Peter Godber at centre while the team also signed guard Philippe Gagnon from the Montreal Alouettes.
Guard Logan Ferland, the West Division’s top offensive lineman, isn’t going anywhere so there appears to be several players in competition for a backup spot including Canadians Zack Fry, Noah Zerr and Braydon Noll along with Americans Brandon Kemp, Jacob Brammer and Nick Jones.
We haven’t even gotten to the rookies who were signed this off-season like 6-foot-8 Julius Buelow or 6-foot-7 Payton Collins. Never a bad problem to have too much talent, but who is willing to take a backup role?
6. Return game
Will there be anyone in camp who could challenge incumbent starting returner Mario Alford?
After re-signing with the Riders this off-season, Alford will be the front runner to handle return duties again in 2025 but if there’s a player who impresses with some return skills in camp — like Meyers or rookie Drae McCray — then there could be a new returner in 2025.
7. Disruptive defence
How disruptive will Saskatchewan’s defensive line be this year?
With the likes of Bryan Cox Jr., Miles Brown and Anthony Lanier II leaving in free agency, there were some questions for this group heading into 2025.
However, it appears they’ve gotten even better with tackles Micah Johnson and Caleb Sanders returning plus the addition of perennial all-star Mike Rose in the middle and Super Bowl and Grey Cup champion Shane Ray joining returnee Malik Carney at defensive end.
There’s always room for a diamond in the rough — like a Jonathan Woodard — to emerge in camp so who might that be this year?
8. Punting picture
With Adam Korsak retiring, who will handle the punting duties for Saskatchewan in 2025?
Australian Joe Couch spent the 2024 season on the Riders practice roster while the team signed Bailey Flint from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats this off-season.
It looks like it’s going to be a camp battle for the starting job.
9. Campbell’s corner
After six years in the NFL, Canadian defensive back Tevaughn Campbell is back in the CFL and back with the Roughriders after a stint with the Green and White in 2016.
Many are expecting him to win the vacant starting cornerback spot which was held by Deontai Williams and Amari Henderson last year. Is the 31-year-old Campbell up to the task? We see no reason why he wouldn’t be.
10. Linebacking lineup
There’s continuity throughout Saskatchewan’s lineup and that includes in the linebacking corps.
Middle linebacker Jameer Thurman is back for his second season in green after a stellar 2024 campaign. He will be flanked by C.J. Reavis on the strongside and we assume C.J. Avery on the weakside.
However, the Roughriders also have Canadian talent at that weakside position with A.J. Allen taking a big step last year when his number was called. Since this position doesn’t necessarily factor into the ratio, it will be interesting to see how they line up.
tshire@postmedia.com
