Samuel Emilus is set to celebrate his 28th birthday on Saturday.
At the end of this CFL season, the fourth-year Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver would like nothing more than to celebrate a Grey Cup championship.
And if the Roughriders want to get there, Emilus could play a big role in Saskatchewan’s offence as one of the primary pass catchers.
Following a collegiate career at University of Massachusetts Amherst (2018-20) and Louisiana Tech University (2021), Emilus was selected by the Roughriders in the first round of the 2022 CFL draft.
He was used sparingly in his rookie season before popping off for 1,097 yards and six touchdowns in 2023 before recording his second straight 1,000-yard season in 2024.
And even though his totals are down this year because of missed time due to injury, Emilus is healthy and ready to contribute in the playoffs as the Roughriders get set to the West final on Nov. 8 following this Saturday’s regular-season finale against the B.C. Lions.
This week, we caught up with Emilus to learn more about his journey in the final ‘Up Close’ profile of the year:
Name: Samuel Emilus
Position: Receiver
Number: 19
Age: 27 (28 on Saturday)
Height and weight: 6-foot-0, 200 pounds
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec
When did you get into football?
“I was 14 (or) 15. I was in high school and we were on recess. And some guys were just playing flag football outside and I just joined.
“And, yeah, they kind of like threw me the ball, and I was just moving around. And guys were like, ‘Hey, you should get on the team. We’ve got tryouts in like two weeks, you should come.’ And that’s what happened.”
Play other sports growing up?
“Before (football), I was playing soccer, and then for a while, at the same time, I was playing football and soccer. And then my mom told me, ‘You’ve got to make a decision between those two.’ And I chose football.
“Since I was like six (or) seven (I played soccer). It’s the easiest sport to play; you just need a ball and you could make a goal with anything.”
Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Samuel Emilus watches a drill during practice at Mosaic Field on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 in Regina.
Hidden talent?
“I would say maybe juggling.
“I was probably six or seven years old … My (phys-ed) teacher was big on juggling, and it took me probably like two weeks to learn it.
“(I can do) three balls. I’m working on four balls, but three balls, that I could do with my eyes closed.”
Superstitions?
“Yes, and I can’t tell you, because I would feel that would mess up my superstitiousness.”
Roughriders receiver Samuel Emilus (19) during the Labour Day Classic CFL football game.
Biggest adversity?
“This season, I was injured twice. I had a foot injury (and) I had a knee injury, so I had a battle to that. And I’m glad that I’m back healthy now and the team is in good position to accomplish our goal.”
What would you be doing if you weren’t playing football?
“My dream growing up, I wanted to be a firefighter. I don’t know if I would want to do it anymore, but I mean, if it wasn’t for football, probably I would be a firefighter.”
Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Samuel Emilus in CFL action against the Hamilton Tiger Cats in Regina on October 7, 2023.
Have you had any other jobs?
“My first job ever, I was a dishwasher; worst job ever. And then I was like an assistant cook at a chicken spot by my house.
“During COVID, I was a security guard.”
Favourite football memory?
“Just off the top of my head, I would say my first touchdown in the CFL. It was a long time coming, I’d say. I didn’t play much my first year but second year, they put me on the field and they had trust in me. And yeah, second game of the year, they just trust me, and I made the play, and I took off ever since.”
Louisiana Tech wide receiver Samuel Emilus (19) scores a touchdown in the second half against UTSA cornerback Ken Robinson (21) during an NCAA college football game in Ruston, La., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.
What would you talk to a group of people about if you had the floor for five minutes?
“I would say the importance of picking good friends and having family around. When you’re young, you’ve got a lot of friends, and when you get older, everybody grows apart.
“You’ve just got to make sure you got the right people around you. If you’ve got the right people around you, you’re going to be able to go wherever you want to go and do whatever you want to accomplish also.”
What do you want people to know about you?
“That I’m a Grey Cup champion.”
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