Five players to watch during training camp

There will be more to see at the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ training camp than just quarterbacks.

Sure, the battle to be the CFL team’s starting QB will be compelling viewing. Even head coach-GM Chris Jones has said he’s looking forward to seeing how the competition between Brandon Bridge, Zach Collaros, B.J. Daniels, David Watford and Marquise Williams plays out.

But the Roughriders have other questions — and other players who are expected to answer those questions. They’ll look to do just that starting Sunday, when training camp opens at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon.

Here’s one man’s list of five non-quarterbacks who bear watching during camp. They appear in alphabetical order.

1. Sam Eguavoen: Jones already has indicated that Eguavoen will move from weak-side linebacker to the middle to replace the departed Henoc Muamba. Eguavoen may lack CFL experience in the middle, but he played the position (as well as outside linebacker) at Texas Tech University. At 6-foot-0 and 227 pounds, he may not be the big-bodied run-stuffer that some envision in the middle of a defence, but he’s quick, he’s instinctive and he’s a sure tackler. He had 57 defensive stops and a sack in 14 regular-season games last season — and those numbers should increase in the middle. Jones has said that Eguavoen isn’t the loudest guy on the roster, so his role will be to lead by example.

2. Jake Harty: The 27-year-old receiver out of the University of Calgary was signed as a free agent in February from the Ottawa Redblacks, who selected him with the 10th pick overall in the 2015 draft. Primarily used as a backup by the Redblacks, Harty caught 36 passes for 307 yards and one touchdown in 34 career regular-season games with Ottawa. He also is a proven special-teamer. Throughout his career, the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder has been an inside receiver, a position at which the Roughriders currently are loaded. Saskatchewan’s offence typically uses just one Canadian at receiver — that has been wideout Rob Bagg — so Harty could be in for a position change during camp.

3. Nick Marshall: The 6-foot-1, 207-pounder began his college career as a cornerback at the University of Georgia, but moved to quarterback when he transferred to Garden City Community College. He also was a QB during his two seasons at Auburn University, where he helped the Tigers win a BCS title. When it came time to head to the NFL, Marshall voluntarily moved back to defence — and that’s where the 25-year-old will look to win a job with the Roughriders. The former Jacksonville Jaguar and New York Jet was one of the best DBs at Saskatchewan’s mini-camp in Florida in April and he’ll be trying to build on that showing in Saskatoon.

4. Terran Vaughn: The Roughriders let Bruce Campbell leave in free agency, so there’s a vacancy at left tackle. Vaughn, 24, is one of the candidates for the job, with his competition expected to come from fellow internationals Takoby Cofield and Jarvis Harrison and national Josiah St. John. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Vaughn, a product of Stephen F. Austin University, spent eight weeks on Saskatchewan’s practice roster last season after signing in September. He previously had been with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, who deployed him in three pre-season games in 2017. He also had NFL stops with the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills during his career.

5. Gary Wilkins: The 25-year-old product of Furman University is trying to make the Roughriders for the third time in as many years — and the linebacker/defensive lineman’s versatility and athleticism may finally help him earn a job. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Wilkins attended Saskatchewan’s mini-camp in 2016 but wasn’t signed. He returned for the Roughriders’ mini-camp in 2017 and stood out, but a knee injury forced the team to release him early in training camp. Now Wilkins is back for another go-round and if he can recapture the form he showed at mini-camp last season, he could be a valuable piece for the Roughriders’ defence.