The Saskatchewan Roughriders hope they got more than just a little sun during their mini-camp in Vero Beach, Fla.
The CFL team is optimistic that it found some solid prospects during the camp, which ran Tuesday through Thursday at Historic Dodgertown.
Yes, quarterback Kevin Glenn was impressively accurate and running back Daniel Thomas was a solid receiver out of the backfield. But those players are veterans — Glenn in the CFL and Thomas in the NFL — so their showings weren’t surprising.
In five workouts spread over three days, some younger players with little or no pro experience turned in performances that caught the attention of Roughriders coaches, personnel types and other observers.
Here is one man’s list of the top 10 players during mini-camp. They appear in alphabetical order.
Tobi Antigha: The product of Presbyterian College was virtually unblockable as a speed-rushing defensive end in one-on-ones with the offensive linemen. Then, after being moved to linebacker, the 6-foot-2, 223-pounder showed an ability to pursue the ball from sideline to sideline and down the field. What Antigha did during mini-camp was impressive — considering that he played wide receiver through high school and college.
Mitchell Baines: The 6-foot-2, 215-pound University of Ottawa product used his size well and displayed good hands in Vero Beach. At one point, he even earned a comparison to former CFLer Jason Clermont from Roughriders head coach-GM Chris Jones. Baines, who led U Sports in catches and receiving yards in 2016, could add depth to Saskatchewan’s Canadian pass-catching corps if he performs well at main training camp.
Bryan Bennett: The former University of Oregon and Southeastern Louisiana University quarterback was impressive throughout the mini-camp, showing off a strong arm and good touch when required. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder made sound decisions with the ball and, when he pulled it down and took off, displayed impressive speed. With the Roughriders’ quarterbacking situation up in the air, Bennett may have staked his claim to a spot high up on the depth chart.
Zavian Bingham: The 5-foot-10, 190-pound defensive back out of Jackson State University was all over the place during the first two days of the camp (he missed the third day because he was graduating from school). The speedster had four interceptions and several knockdowns, all while displaying an ability to play smothering man-to-man defence. With vacancies in the Saskatchewan secondary, Bingham has a legitimate shot to crack the roster.
Erick Dargan: Another former Oregon Duck, the 5-foot-11, 210-pound defensive back showed well during mini-camp. He was regularly around the ball in passing drills, recording a few knockdowns and picking off a Vince Young pass in Thursday’s workout. Dargan could fill a hole in the Roughriders’ secondary or he could conceivably move into the linebacking spot vacated in the off-season when Otha Foster III signed in the NFL.
Antwane Grant: At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, the product of Western Kentucky University has the size required to take the pounding absorbed by inside receivers in the CFL. Throughout the mini-camp, Grant showed that he could find holes in zones, that he could get behind coverage, and that he could catch the ball. The fact that he did all of those things consistently from the start of camp to the end of it was particularly impressive.
Greg Milhouse: The 6-foot-1, 295-pound defensive tackle, who played one regular-season game with the Roughriders in 2016, was a force in Vero Beach. A graduate of Campbell University, Milhouse displayed power and nimble feet during the one-on-one sessions with the O-linemen. With Corvey Irvin’s off-season departure as a free agent, Milhouse likely will compete in training camp for a starting job in the interior of the Roughriders’ D-line.
Desmond Reece: While some of the other receivers tailed off as mini-camp wore on, Reece seemingly got stronger. The 5-foot-10, 172-pounder out of Tuskegee University showed quickness and speed while tirelessly running routes in Florida’s stifling heat. Reece was fearless going across the middle — granted, no one was wearing helmets or shoulder pads — and he latched on to nearly every pass thrown to him in a solid performance.
Jenson Stoshak: There’s an online video of Stoshak catching footballs while doing three backflips, but the Florida Atlantic University product proved to be more than just an Internet sensation at mini-camp. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound receiver got open against man coverage, found the holes in zone defences and caught virtually everything that was thrown his way. But like Grant and Reece, Stoshak faces the unenviable task of trying to crack a loaded Roughriders receiving corps.
Gary Wilkins: The product of Furman University started mini-camp with the defensive linemen and displayed a great burst off the edge during one-on-one drills. Then Wilkins was moved to linebacker and acquitted himself well in pass coverage — so much so that Young even complimented the 6-foot-2, 242-pounder for that ability. That kind of versatility could serve Wilkins well at main camp and, potentially, beyond.
