Words by: Daniella Ponticelli
The Saskatchewan Roughriders had a lot of love to spread around when free agency officially opened on Feb. 14. The football club signed eight new players Tuesday — here’s how it shook out:
Trevor Harris | Quarterback
From spectator speculation to an official signing: veteran quarterback Trevor Harris is coming to Saskatchewan.
“I wanted to make it a quick decision in the negotiation window. That way I could start helping recruit and that way we could hopefully bring a cup back to Regina for the amazing province and fans that we have,” Harris said Tuesday.
The 36-year-old joins the club with 10 years CFL experience behind centre starting with Toronto (2012-2015), Ottawa (2016-2018), Edmonton (2019-21) and most recently Montreal in 2022.
Last season proved to be an exceptional one for the Ohio native who had 15 starts, throwing for 4,157 yards and 20 touchdowns, while completing 71.6% of his passes. It was first in the league among quarterbacks who played 15 games or more.
Harris also played two playoff games, throwing for 243 yards and a touchdown to help Montreal win their first playoff game since 2014 in the East Semi-Final.
“I’m most looking forward to making this fan base proud of this team on opening night, on Labour Day, for the Banjo Bowl and, most importantly, that third Sunday in November,” said Harris, who will be moving to Regina along with his wife and their two children.
“We’re going to have our third child at the beginning of the season and we’ll see where that’s going to be, if it’s going to be at home or in Regina. But we’re really fired up to be a part of Rider Nation.”
Harris is a two-time Grey Cup Champion winning one in Toronto (2012) and one in Ottawa (2016). He was also an East Division All-Star in 2016.
Jake Wieneke | Wide Receiver
Wide receiver Jake Wieneke was on his lunch break as a substitute teacher in his home state of Minnesota when he signed the Riders Tuesday.
“I called my wife right away and even my whole next class, they knew it was signing day today, and they’re like, ‘Where are you going?’ I said Saskatchewan and they were all so excited,” Wieneke said.
Wieneke (6’4-215) played 16 games for Alouettes in 2022, recording 45 catches for 589 yards and two touchdowns. In three CFL seasons, the 28-year-old has racked up 142 receptions for 2,056 yards and 21 touchdowns in 48 career games.
Known for his touchdown prowess, ‘TD Jake’ Wieneke had eight majors in 2019 and earned the Frank M. Gibson Trophy as the East Divison’s Most Outstanding Rookie.
The married father of two is now in the midst of relocating his young family to Regina, where he hopes to build a long-lasting football career.
“I’m very optimistic. I see a great team and I’ve seen a great team throughout the last couple of years. I think it’s just continuing to get better and better,” he said. “It starts with the people in leadership and having the right people in place.”
Wieneke and Harris are not only familiar with each other as football players, but the pair roomed together on the road and have become close family friends.
“He’s a man that you want to be like,” Wieneke said about Harris Tuesday. “I look at him and he’s an amazing father. He’s amazing man of God. He’s amazing husband. He’s amazing leader. And he’s just so diligent in every area of his life.”
Prior to the CFL, Wieneke was signed by the Minnesota Vikings undrafted free agent in 2018. He played four preseason games making six catches for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Shawn Bane Jr. | Wide Receiver
American wide receiver Shawn Bane Jr. is also joining the Rider ranks for 2023.
“Just wanted to say I’m blessed and thankful for the opportunity to join this organization, to help us win games, and get to this championship,” Bane Jr. said in a Twitter video Tuesday.
The 27-year-old is coming off a strong 2022 season for the Calgary Stampeders, where he matched or set career highs with 21 catches for 288 yards and one touchdown. On special teams, the Florida speedster logged nine punt returns for 80 yards and seven kickoff returns for 156 yards.
Bane Jr. (5’9-178) initially signed with the Stampeders in 2020.
Juwan Brescacin | Wide Receiver
The Saskatchewan Roughriders went three for three, finishing receiver signings Tuesday with Juwan Brescacin.
Brescacin (6’3-227) joins the Roughriders as a six-season CFL veteran and 2022 Grey Cup Champion.
The 30-year-old initially signed with the Toronto Argonauts in February 2020. He went on to appear in 11 games as an Argo, tallying 11 receptions for 97 yards, an 8.8 yards per catch average and two touchdowns.
Brescacin was selected by Calgary in the second round, 15th overall, of the 2016 CFL Draft. He played four seasons and 44 games with the Stampeders, earning 1,046 yards and six touchdowns and averaged 14.5 yards per catch. The Mississauga native also participated on special teams.
Micah Johnson | Defensive Tackle
A familiar face is back in Riderville with the return of American defensive lineman Micah Johnson.
Johnson (6’2-278) previously played two seasons in Green and White putting up strong numbers in 2021 on route to being named a West All-Star. In the 2019 season the Georgia native suited up for 15 games, making 26 defensive tackles and four sacks and was named a West All-Star.
A proven CFL talent, Johnson is a three-time CFL All-Star (2016-18), a six-time Divisional All-Star (2016-22) and a two-time Grey Cup champion winning with Calgary in 2014 and 2018.
The disruptive defensive linesman spent the 2022 season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, playing 16 regular season games to notch 24 defensives tackles, five tackles for loss and seven sacks.
The 34-year-old was named an East All-Star. He made three defensive tackles and one sack in the East Semi-Final.
Stefen Banks | Defensive Lineman
American defensive lineman Stefen Banks will be swapping out his Calgary red for Saskatchewan green.
Banks (6’1-260) appeared in 23 games over the last two seasons for Calgary. In a rotational role on the defensive line, the 25-year-old made 36 defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, eight sacks and one forced fumble.
Prior to the CFL, the Ohio native attended mini-camp with the Cleveland Browns. He signed with the Stampeders in February 2020.
Peter Godber | Offensive Lineman
Canadian centre Peter Godber is moving from the west coast to the prairies to join the Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive line.
The Toronto product (6’3-304) started all 18 regular season games and two playoff games at centre for the B.C. Lions in 2022.
The 28-year-old anchored an offensive line that helped the Lions average the most net yards per game with 384.6 yards and 99.7 rushing yards per game. The Lions also scored an average of 27.7 points per game, second highest in the CFL.
In 2021, Godber started all 14 regular season games at centre, his first season as a full-time starter.
Philip Blake | Offensive Lineman
National offensive lineman Philip Blake (6’3-310) is also a former Rider returning to Regina.
The Toronto native joins Saskatchewan as a Grey Cup Champion after a strong 2022 season along the Toronto Argonauts offensive line.
Blake appeared in 17 regular season games, as well as the East Final and Grey Cup. The 37-year-old helped the Argos’ running backs rush for more than 1,000 yards combined and quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thomas led the league in passing yards on route to a Grey Cup win against Winnipeg.
Prior to the Argos, Blake played five seasons in the CFL, including 11 games with the Roughriders (2018-19) and 57 games with the Montreal Alouettes (2015-18).
