ACQUIRED: Signed by Roughriders in February 2026.

YEARS WITH ROUGHRIDERS: 1

YEARS IN CFL: 1

2026: Signed by Roughriders, Feb. 13 … interception and pass knockdown in pre-season game vs. Winnipeg, May 23 at Saskatoon … May 30: Released … June 23: Re-signed … four defensive tackles (one for a loss) in CFL regular-season debut, Aug. 1 at Edmonton.

2025: Burgess Jr. signed with the NFL’s New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2025.

COLLEGE: Burgess Jr. spent four collegiate seasons (2021-24) at Alabama State, finishing his senior year with four interceptions while playing cornerback. In 12 games during the 2024 season, he recorded 53 tackles (including four for a loss), 10 pass deflections, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. His standout 2024 campaign earned multiple honours, including the Aeneas Williams Award, given to the nation’s top HBCU defensive back, as well as First-Team All-American and First-Team All-SWAC recognition. In 2023, he recorded two interceptions  alongside 32 tackles and 11 pass deflections in 11 games.

FAST FACT: Both his interceptions in 2023 were returned for a touchdown.

MEDIA

• May 5, 2025: Riders sign four from 2025 Draft class
• Nov. 21, 2025: Riders sign two draft selections, one American
• June 23, 2026: James Burgess Jr. joined Riders practice on the fly