ACQUIRED: Signed with the Riders in 2021.

YEARS IN CFL: 6

YEARS WITH ROUGHRIDERS: 1

PRO: Joined the Roughriders after returning to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2020. Spent most of his career with the Ti-Cats but played the 2019 season with the Edmonton Football Team. Dean has not missed a single regular season game, playing in 72 over the last four seasons. Has earned 365 defensive tackles, eight special teams tackles, six sacks, three interceptions – including one he returned for a touchdown – 16 pass knockdowns, five forced fumbles and scored a defensive touchdown over his career. Also played in five playoff games.

Dean is a three-time divisional all-star (2017-19), was the East Division’s nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2018 and was Edmonton’s nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2019.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

• Division All-Star: 2017, 2018, 2019
• East Divison Most Outstanding Defensive Player: 2018
• Edmonton’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player: 2019
• Made CFL debut June 23/16

COLLEGE: Attended Valdosta State from 2007-2010. Led the Blazers in tackles for three years and ranks second all-time in VSU history with 358 career tackles. In his senior season, he averaged 11.1 tackles per game. Named Daktronics National Defensive Player of the Year, the South Region Defensive Player of the Year, the Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year and The Valdosta Daily Times’ Defensive Player of the Year. Was inducted into his college’s Hall of Fame in 2020.