Brandon Council is the rare offensive lineman who welcomes holding — at least in one context.
His new position with an NIL collective that assists Auburn University student-athletes has been held for him so he can once again be a Saskatchewan Roughrider.
Council, who played in 12 CFL games last season, did not attend training camp this past spring in order to pursue a new sporting path.
But when the Roughriders encountered an injury-related personnel shortage on the offensive line, he was quick to respond and return.
“There was no hesitation,” Council said after Thursday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium. “I said, ‘I’m there.’
“I talked to my job and it goes back to them being like family. They said, ‘We understand. Go answer the call.’
“The guys are family here. I built the bond with them last year. It was good to see them again and line up next to them again.
“I call them my brothers. They’ll always be my brothers.”
Council, whose return to Saskatchewan was announced on July 19, is expected to start at right tackle on Saturday against the Edmonton Elks (5 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
He is in line to replace Jacob Brammer, who has been ruled out for this week’s game after suffering a hamstring injury in practice on Wednesday.
“It’s tough,” Council said. “I was watching him this season. Bright future, man. Amazing player. Tough kid. You hate to see it.
“I was even learning from watching him and seeing how he takes his sets and stuff.
“I’m here to answer the call. Everybody says ‘next man up’ and I’m here to help the team out. When Brammer gets healthy, I know he’s going to be ready to go again.”
Council, 27, began spent three seasons (2017 to 2019) at the University of Akron before transferring to Auburn.
His association with the Auburn Tigers was so enjoyable that, post-graduation, an association with the school was maintained thanks to the NIL collective.
NIL is a means for collegiate athletes to receive compensation for their name, image and likeness — hence the acronym.
“Basically, I get to help recruiting for athletes,” Council explained. “I oversee football and basketball. I oversee daily operations such as taking the players to events, fundraisers and things like a fan day, where people can meet the players.
“It’s a new position because of the way NIL shaped the world and the game. It was good to have somebody in place who had been through NIL while playing the sport as well.
“I was able to come back and pour into the kids to be smart with what they do when it comes to their money. I was a great fit, so they called me.”
INJURY UPDATE
Brammer, defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II (knee) and running back A.J. Ouellette (hip) are listed as out for Saturday’s game.
Lanier II was hurt on July 25 against the host Montreal Alouettes. Miles Brown is expected to start at defensive tackle in place of Lanier II.
With Ouellette set to sit out a second consecutive game, Frankie Hickson will once again receive a starting assignment. He rushed 16 times for 117 yards and one touchdown against Montreal.
The injury report issued on Thursday lists the following players as available for Saturday: Hickson (hamstring), defensive linemen Micah Johnson (personal) and Bryan Cox Jr. (lower back), linebacker Adam Auclair (shoulder), centre Peter Godber (personal) and receiver Mitch Picton (upper back).
Defensive lineman Caleb Sanders and defensive back Deontai Williams, both of whom were healthy scratches last week, are also available for Saturday’s game.
DHEILLY RETIRES
Regina-born defensive lineman Nicholas Dheilly announced his retirement on Thursday.
Over the past three seasons, he suited up for the Green and White in 16 games, including five this season.
“Selfishly, you want to be around the guys you start the year with, but Nic just felt like it was time to focus on some other things outside of football,” Head Coach Corey Mace said.
“Out of respect for the guy that he is, even though I wish he didn’t (retire), if he’s at peace, I’m at peace.
“I wish him nothing but the best in his life after football and we’ll continue to be in contact.”
Dheilly, 26, starred in high school football with the LeBoldus Golden Suns and later played in Canada West with the University of Regina Rams and University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
He also had a stint with the BCFC’s Okanagan Sun.
Dheilly played in one game with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2021. He joined the Roughriders on Nov. 16 of that year.
NAT DYE (1937-2024)
Nat Dye, a member of the Roughriders’ offensive line in 1964 and 1965, passed away on March 19 in Blythe, Ga. He was 86.
Dye joined the Roughriders on Sept. 9, 1964 and proceeded to play in five games with the Green and White that season.
Earlier in 1964, he had played in four games with Edmonton, having been a member of that team since 1959.
In 1965, Dye suited up for eight games with the Roughriders. He retired from football in May of the following year.
He was the older brother of legendary NCAA coach Pat Dye, who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
