OVERVIEW
The Saskatchewan Roughriders welcome back Rolan Milligan Jr., who missed the final 14 games of the 2023 CFL season due to a toe injury. Saskatchewan had a 3-1 record when he was in the lineup last season. His return creates an intriguing competition for starting positions in the secondary. Amari Henderson made 18 starts at halfback and Deontai Williams received most of the first-team duty in place of Milligan Jr. The cornerback positions also bear watching, especially with the arrival of Jalon Edwards-Cooper via free agency. Hard-hitting Jayden Dalke is the incumbent at safety.
PERSONNEL
CFL Returnees
RODNEY CLEMONS (A-#39): Dressed for three games as first-year CFLer in 2023.
JAYDEN DALKE (N-#38): Sixth-round steal in 2022 CFL Draft.
JALON EDWARDS-COOPER (A-#3): Arrives with 30 games of CFL experience, all with B.C.
MARK FIELDS II (A-#27): Late-season practice-roster addition in 2023.
JAXON FORD (N-#17): Alan Ford’s grandson was the Roughriders’ second-round draftee in 2023.
AMARI HENDERSON (A-#16): Two interceptions as 18-game starter last season.
NELSON LOKOMBO (N-#21): Drafted second overall in 2021 out of University of Saskatchewan.
ROLAN MILLIGAN JR. (A-#0): Two key interceptions in only four games last year.
GODFREY ONYEKA (N-#26): Veteran DB signed one-year contract extension in February.
KOSI ONYEKA (N-#31): 17 special teams tackles last season.
DEONTAI WILLIAMS (A-#24): 41 defensive tackles and one interception in 14 games as a CFL newcomer.
Newcomers
RICHARD ADUBOFFOUR (N-#76): Roughriders’ eighth-round Draft pick on April 30.
ANTOINE BROOKS JR. (A-#25): Sixth-round draftee by Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020.
C.J. COLDON (A-#22): Spent part of 2023 season on Minnesota Vikings’ practice roster.
COLE COLEMAN (A-#37): Ran 40-yard dash in a brisk 4.43 seconds at Pro Day in 2023.
DaMARCUS FIELDS (A-#00): Suited up for New Orleans in Weeks 3 and 4 of the 2022 season.
HOLTON HILL (A-#20): 28 games of NFL experience with Minnesota Vikings.
JAMAR JOHNSON (A-#14): Denver Broncos’ fifth-round Draft choice in 2021.
KATLEY JOSEPH (N-#71): Canada West All-Star with University of Saskatchewan Huskies in 2022 and 2023.
MARCUS MURPHY (A-#74): Spent training camp with Atlanta Falcons in 2021.
NICK NELSON (A-#18): Raiders’ fourth-round NFL Draft pick in 2018.
ERIC SMITH (A-#77): Has completed the 40-yard dash in a blistering 4.34 seconds.
A—American
N—National
FAST FACTS
- Kosi Onyeka registered four special teams tackles against the visiting Lions on Aug. 20. That was the Roughriders’ highest single-game total since Oct. 29, 2022, when Dalke made four special teams stops against the host Calgary Stampeders.
- With the University of Texas Longhorns, Hill returned all three of his interceptions for a touchdown. His resume also includes one NFL interception — for the Minnesota Vikings against New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold on Oct. 21, 2018.
- While with the Wisconsin Badgers, Nelson opened the scoring with a 50-yard punt return against Michigan on Nov. 18, 2017. That was Wisconsin’s first punt-return major in five years.
- Aduboffour was tied for the third-fastest time (4.63 seconds) in the 40-yard dash at the CFL’s Invitational Combine.
- Henderson is a cousin of veteran NBA star C.J. McCollum.
QUOTABLE
“It’s a new start under Coach Mace.” — Jalon Edwards-Cooper
