It took more than five months, but the Saskatchewan Roughriders finally have Dakoda Shepley in hand.
On Tuesday, Saskatchewan announced that Shepley — whom it had selected in the first round (fifth overall) of May’s 2018 CFL draft, even though he already had signed with the NFL’s New York Jets — had joined its practice roster.
The 23-year-old offensive lineman out of the University of British Columbia was at Mosaic Stadium for Tuesday’s practice and spent much of his time watching. He participated in some activities and in one-on-one drills after the practice ended.
“I’m just getting the lay of the land still,” Shepley said. “So far, so good. It’s football, so some of it comes naturally. It’s like riding a bike: You never really forget it once you start doing it.”
Shepley was the No. 3-ranked prospect in the final rankings done by the CFL Scouting Bureau prior to the 2018 draft. A Canada West all-star at right tackle in 2017, the 6-foot-4, 306-pounder turned in a stellar showing at the CFL’s national combine.
Before the draft, however, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jets — but the Roughriders still thought enough of him to select him with their first-round pick.
“If there’s an opportunity to come and play here, then I’m going to take it…”
Shepley attended New York’s training camp, but was released on Aug. 31 at the end of camp.
“(The experience in New York) was awesome,” Shepley said. “Playing in the NFL, you’re a superstar no matter what position you’re at.
“(It was) very cool (and I) learned a lot of valuable knowledge from a lot of really good football players that I think is going to translate here and in my future wherever I end up.”
Rather than joining the Roughriders immediately after being cut by the Jets, Shepley returned home to Windsor, Ont., and continued training in hopes of getting another chance.
As it turned out, that chance was with Saskatchewan more than a month after he was released by New York.
“If there’s an opportunity to come and play here, then I’m going to take it,” Shepley said. “I’m not one to turn down an opportunity to play football.”
Roughriders head coach-GM Chris Jones said assistant vice-presidents of football operations John Murphy and Jeremy O’Day had been talking with Shepley’s agent all season in hopes of getting the player to Saskatchewan.
With injuries putting starting centre Dan Clark and starting right guard Dariusz Bladek on the shelf in the past two weeks, Shepley admitted he and his representative might have had “a little more leeway than maybe a week prior” when it came to those talks.
Whatever the reason for his addition, Shepley flew to Regina on Monday and was at practice Tuesday.
“We drafted him where we drafted him for a reason,” Jones said. “We feel like he’s a very good football player and we look forward to seeing what he brings to our football team.”
Shepley noted that the coaches will determine his immediate future in Saskatchewan. If they believe he can contribute in some way, they might activate him off the practice roster.
In the meantime, he just wants to work on his game. Asked Tuesday if he’s still interested in trying his luck in the NFL, Shepley demurred.
“I’m always willing to maximize my potential as an athlete,” he said. “But I don’t usually look too far in the future like that. I eat what’s in front of me, so right now, this is what’s in front of me and this is what I’m handling first.”
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Jones went through his team’s long list of injuries following practice.
Clark is out for what Jones called “an extended period of time if not all year.” The veteran centre was injured during Saskatchewan’s 19-12 victory over the Edmonton Eskimos on Oct. 8.
As for Bladek and defensive tackle Mic’hael Brooks, Jones noted that both men are out for the rest of the 2018 season. Both were carted off the field during Saturday’s 31-0 loss to the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Defensive back Matt Elam and defensive tackle Zack Evans also left Saturday’s game. Jones said that Elam is out for Saturday’s contest against the host Calgary Stampeders, while Evans — who didn’t practise Tuesday — should be OK for that game.
Finally, Jones reported that slotback Naaman Roosevelt, who has missed the past three games, could return before the end of the season if required.
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The contest in Winnipeg came at the end of a short week for the Roughriders.
Saskatchewan had just five days between its games against Edmonton and Winnipeg, but Jones wasn’t pinning Saturday’s loss on the schedule.
“We’ve lost three football games on short weeks with travel this year,” Jones said. “I’ve got to evaluate exactly how we prepare for those weeks (and) make sure we’re not working (the players) too hard. But that’s not the reason we lost the football game, I can assure you of that.”
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In addition to adding Shepley to the practice roster, the Roughriders also brought back offensive lineman Emmanuel Adusei.
The 22-year-old product of London, Ont., was a seventh-round pick (57th overall) by Saskatchewan in the 2017 draft out of Carleton University. He went to the Roughriders’ training camp, but returned to Carleton to concentrate on his schooling.
He rejoined the Roughriders in September and was on their practice roster for seven of their final eight regular-season games and on the active roster for one contest.
The 6-foot-2, 357-pounder was released following the 2018 pre-season.
On Tuesday, the Roughriders also announced they had released from the practice roster defensive back Tristan Doughlin and fullback Oumar Toure.
