Round 4, 30th overall, has proven to be a productive draft position for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
In 2020, they spent that mid-round choice on the University of Guelph Gryphons’ Kian Schaffer-Baker, who paced the Green and White with six catches on Saturday against the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Saskatchewan’s leading rusher was Thomas Bertrand-Hudon — a Delaware State Hornets product who was claimed 30th overall in the 2023 CFL Draft.
He had five carries for 41 yards, an average of 8.2 yards per rush, in a 51-6 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at IG Field.
“It’s very, very, very on the bittersweet side, because of the type of game we had,” the 6-foot-0, 227-pounder said after Tuesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium.
“We flushed it with the team and now I am just focused on the next game. I’m happy with my performance and what I did, but we’ve got to come more together as a team and do better than that.”
Bertrand-Hudon, from Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., added a 22-yard kickoff return on Saturday. On the season, he has returned five kickoffs for a 24.2-yard average.
Entering Saturday’s game, his offensive stats consisted of one rush — an impressive 18-yarder. He added seven touches to the total, augmenting the aforementioned five robust rushes with two receptions for 12 yards.
“I guess each week, there’s a little bit more,” Bertrand-Hudon said. “I don’t know if I’m going to get the same amount this week as I did last week, but I just want to put my body wherever I have to play and just try to help the team win.”
The selection of Bertrand-Hudon on May 2 already looks like a clear win for the Roughriders’ player-personnel department, but the rookie running back isn’t inclined to spike the ball just yet.
“I just want to make my place on the roster,” he said. “I’m just going to keep grinding.
“I have a goal as to where I want to be as a player, but it doesn’t trump what I want for us as a team. So I’ve just got to keep grinding, try to make the team better, and get some more wins.”
What is the individual goal to which he referred?
“Of course, everybody wants to be the best, so I’m just going to work as much as possible to be the best and help the team win as much as possible,” Bertrand-Hudon replied.
“I just want to stay here. If I can help this team win a Grey Cup, I am always happy to do so.”
Craig Dickenson is happy with what he has seen so far from Bertrand-Hudon.
“He has just gotten better each week,” the Roughriders’ Head Coach said after Day 1 of on-field preparations for Friday’s game against the Edmonton Elks (7:30 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
“He’s a young player who we liked coming out (of college). Our Running Backs Coach, Andre Bolduc, had a really high grade on him and I can see why.”
SHORT SNORTS
- Roughriders guard Evan Johnson was a full participant in practice on Tuesday after missing Saturday’s game with a foot injury. Also listed as full participants: Quarterback Mason Fine (hamstring), offensive lineman Philip Blake (pectoral), linebacker Justin Herdman-Reed (quadriceps), defensive back Nelson Lokombo (knee) and receiver Jake Wieneke (healthy scratch).
- Defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II (non-football-related) and defensive back Deontai Williams (hamstring) did not practise on Tuesday. Defensive back Godfrey Onyeka, who has yet to play this season due to a pectoral injury, was a limited participant.
