As the Saskatchewan Roughriders take on the Montreal Alouettes in CFL Grey Cupaction in Winnipeg, MB, November 16, 2025. Photo Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards
Jermarcus Hardrick and A.J. Ouellette both enjoyed standout seasons while helping the Saskatchewan Roughriders win a Grey Cup championship in 2025.
That is all well and good — historic, in fact — but neither player is even remotely satisfied.
“I left a lot of plays out there, predetermining where I think the play’s going to hit rather than letting it develop and all that,” Ouellette said after the Roughriders practised on Tuesday.
Ouellette posted the league’s second-best rushing-yardage total (1,222) last season. Even so, he felt the ceiling was much higher.
“If our O-line has anyone else but me, it’s probably 1,500, 1,800, 2,000,” he said, breaking into a laugh. “So that’s my goal — to hopefully get them what their blocking is worth.”
Hardrick’s blocking was such that he was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman last season. He, too, isn’t ready to rest on his laurels.
“I’m trying to be better than I was last year, just watching all my lowlights from last year and seeing all the plays I want back,” the 6-foot-4, 315-pound right tackle said.
“I’m not trying to put new tools in my toolbox. I’m just trying to sharpen mine, trying to be the best I can be.
“There’s definitely plays I want back. There’s definitely ways I want to be a better leader, a better husband, a better dad.
“I just want to be better in everything I do.”
The bar is already set very high, considering how everything unfolded for Ouellette, Hardrick and the entire team last season. But exhaustive film study has led both players to conclude that they have much more to offer.
“If you look at the tape, it’s just being honest,” Hardrick said. “A.J. is wired that way. I’m wired that way. We just have to get better. We want to get better. It’s a ‘want-to,’ and that’s what I love about it.
“It comes from the top down. Every day, you can feel it from the ticket office, from the people on the fourth floor (in the business office), from the media.
“Everyone’s just trying to get better and finding different ways we can be better as teammates and players. How can we do appearances better? How can we do everything better? We just feel it from the top of the organization on down.”
The organization will celebrate its fifth Grey Cup championship with a banner unveiling that is to precede Saturday’s regular-season opener against the B.C. Lions. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m., at Mosaic Stadium. (Tickets are AVAILABLE HERE.)
“I’m ready to get out there with my guys,” Hardrick said. “I’m excited for the season. I’m excited for the opportunity.
“I’m still playing the game I love. I love my teammates. I love this city. I love this province. I love the fans.
“It won’t be perfect, but I’m excited to give them everything I’ve got.”
