The Saskatchewan Roughriders have announced national receiver S.J. Haidara, international offensive lineman Jarriel King, national defensive back Kwame Adjei, national offensive lineman Aaron Picton and national running back Brandon Deschamps have all signed with the team. As per club policy, terms of the contracts were not released.
Haidara (6’1 – 215) will return for his fourth CFL season and second with the Riders after joining the team in June, 2015. Last season, the 26-year-old played nine regular season games picking up eight receptions for 58 yards and one special teams tackle.
Haidara has played 43 career regular season games through his first four years after originally being selected by the BC Lions in the 2nd round (12th overall) in the 2013 CFL Draft.
King (6’5 – 315) was acquired by the Riders last week in a trade with the Toronto Argonauts. The 28-year-old South Carolina product played three regular season games for the Argonauts in 2015. Through three seasons with the Argos, King has played 29 regular season games, with 26 starts, spending time at guard and tackle.
Both Haidara and King were eligible to become free agents on February 9th.
Adjei (6’1 – 205) signs with the Riders after playing five collegiate seasons at Mount Allison. The 22-year-old Brampton, ON native picked up 176 total defensive tackles, 6.5 quarterback sacks, and eight interceptions in 40 career regular season games.
Adjei attended training camp with the Riders last season after the team selected him in the 5th round (42nd overall) of the 2014 CFL Draft.
Picton (6’4 – 295) officially joins the Green and White after his draft rights were picked up by the Riders in a September, 2015 trade with the Calgary Stampeders. The Regina native spent the last five seasons with the University of Regina playing 38 career conference games on the Rams offensive line.
The Stampeders had originally selected Picton in the sixth round (53rd overall) of the 2015 CFL Draft.
Deschamps (6’0 – 215) signs with the Riders after spending the previous five seasons at the University of British Columbia. Last season, the Prince George, BC native played eight conference games totaling 1,191 yards and seven touchdowns on 167 carries. He also had nine carries for 79 yards and a touchdown in the 2015 Vanier Cup as the Thunderbirds were crowned national champions.
Deschamps attended 2014 training camp with the BC Lions as an undrafted free agent.
