ROUGHRIDER TRANSACTIONS

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have announced the following roster moves: 

SIGNED: 

• National offensive lineman Braden Schram

• Global wide receiver Max Zimmermann

Braden Schram returns for his third season with the Green and White after a strong 2019 where he played in 10 regular-season games on the Riders’ offensive line. The 6’4, 312 lbs Schram was part of a nearly unmovable offensive line that allowed only 37 sacks that season. Prior to the CFL, the Alberta native played four seasons at the University of Calgary from 2013 to 2016, starting 31 games for the Dinos. He was named a Canada West all-star in 2014 and 2015 and was a first team U Sports all-Canadian in 2015. Schram was selected by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2nd round (13th overall) of the 2017 CFL Draft and signed with the Riders in July 2018. Schram was eligible to become a free agent on February 9, 2021.

Max Zimmermann rejoins the Roughriders after winning the Finnish Football Championship the Maple Bowl with the Kuopio Steelers in 2020. The 26-year-old German was selected by the Roughriders sixth overall in the 2019 European Draft and will continue his career in Green and White in 2021. Zimmermann (5’11 – 195 lbs) dressed for one game with the Club in 2019 before being moved to the practice roster. Prior to the CFL, he spent two seasons in the German Football League (2017-18) and made 60 receptions for 1,242 yards and 18 touchdowns on the way to winning the 2018 EFL Bowl. 

Additionally, American defensive linemen Demetrius Harris and Cory Thomas have opted back into their contracts for the 2021 season.

Demetrius Harris returns to the Green and White for 2021 after opting out of his contract in 2020. The defensive lineman played college ball at Fort Valley State University where he won the 2019 Don Hansen All-Super Region Two Defensive Player of the Year. The talented 24-year-old was also named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year for his 2019 season. Harris (6’2 – 248lbs) led the NCAA Division II in sacks (1.35 per game) and was fifth in tackles for loss (2.0 per game), while registering a total 43 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries including one touchdown in 10 games played.

Cory Thomas returns to the Roughriders for the 2021 season after opting out of his contract in 2020. The 6’6, 312 lbs defensive lineman spent the 2019 NFL preseason with the Miami Dolphins, playing in four games and making one tackle. Prior to turning pro, Thomas played five collegiate seasons with Mississippi State. Throughout his time as a Bulldog, he played 39 games, including six starts at defensive tackle, finishing his career with 51 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble and three pass break ups. The Alabama native was injured during the 2017 season but came back in his senior year to collect a season high-three tackles in a game twice, a career high in sacks and set a career-high in tackles for loss.