Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders released running back Marcus Major Jr., wide receivers D’Sean Mimbs and Siaosi Mariner, offensive lineman Darius Washington, defensive linemen Chico Bennett Jr., Sylvain Yondjouen, Deshawn Stevens, and Kendy Charles, linebackers Tuasivi Nomura and Alphonzo Tuputala, kicker Michael Hughes, and punter Joe Couch from the practice squad on Monday according to the CFL Transactions page.
These players became automatic free agents after the Saskatchewan Roughriders won the 112th Grey Cup on Sunday night.
Marcus Majors Jr. is six foot and weighs 220 pounds. The 25-year-old from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2025. He attended training camp and was released on August 13, 2025. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Majors Jr. to the practice squad on September 30, 2025.
Collegiately, Majors Jr. played five seasons at Oklahoma (2019-23) with 194 carries for 833 yards, eight rushing touchdowns, completed one pass for -2 yards, 23 catches for 177 yards, two touchdowns, one kick return for 13 yards, and four tackles (3 solos, 1 assist) in 35 games for the Sooners.
Then, he transferred to Minnesota in 2024 with 78 carries for 352 yards, three rushing touchdowns, 20 catches for 144 yards, and one touchdown in 12 games for the Golden Gophers.
D’Sean Mimbs is six foot one and weighs 180 pounds. The 25-year-old from Regina, Saskatchewan, was drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the sixth round (50th pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft.
He attended training camp before he returned to Regina for the final collegiate season. Mimbs re-signed with the Roughriders on November 25, 2024. In 2025, Mimbs made one catch for five yards in four games.
Collegiately, Mimbs played four seasons at the University of Regina (2021-24) with 130 catches for 1,717 yards, 10 touchdowns, two carries for seven yards, 14 kick returns for 287 yards, and two tackles (2 solos) in 32 games for the Rams. He was named the University of Regina’s Male Rookie of the Year in 2021.
In 2023, Mimbs made 30 catches for 460 yards, one touchdown, one carry for two yards, four kick returns for 59 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in six games. In 2024, Mimbs made 45 catches for 512 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games.
Siaosi Mariner is six foot two and weighs 190 pounds. The 28-year-old from Tustin, California, re-signed with the Michigan Panthers on August 13, 2024. In 2025, Mariner made 31 catches for 527 yards and one touchdown in 10 games. His 527 receiving yards led the UFL.
In the playoffs, he made six catches for 108 yards and one touchdown. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Mariner to the practice squad on October 21, 2025.
Mariner signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 7, 2020. He also spent time with the Baltimore Ravens. The Ottawa Redblacks signed Mariner on January 21, 2022. In 2022, Mariner made eight catches for 98 yards and one touchdown in three games.
In 2023, he made 18 catches for 219 yards and one touchdown in 13 games. He became a free agent after the 2023 season. The Michigan Panthers signed Mariner on April 4, 2024. In 2024, Mariner made 27 catches for 346 yards and two touchdowns in seven games.
Collegiately, Mariner played three seasons at Utah (2016-18) with 52 catches for 785 yards and four touchdowns in 36 games for the Utes.
Then, he transferred to Utah State in 2019 with 63 catches for 987 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three tackles (3 solos) in 13 games for the Aggies. In the 2019 Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl, Mariner caught two touchdowns against Kent State.
Darius Washington is six foot four and weighs 310 pounds. The 25-year-old from Pensacola, Florida, attended the Denver Broncos rookie minicamp in 2025. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Washington on June 9, 2025. In 2025, he dressed for four games.
Collegiately, Washington played six seasons at Florida State (2019-24), playing 57 games for the Seminoles. He played 47 games as a starter, including 33 at left tackle, 11 at right tackle, and three at center.
In 2024, Washington started 10 games at left tackle. Florida State averaged 15.4 points per game, 270.3 yards per game, 180.3 passing yards per game, 89.9 rushing yards per game, and 19 touchdowns, finishing 2-10 for the season. He won the Bill McGrotha Award in 2024.
Chico Bennett Jr. is six foot four and weighs 256 pounds. The 24-year-old from Ashburn, Virginia, attended the Philadelphia Eagles rookie minicamp in 2025. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Bennett Jr. to the practice squad on September 22, 2025.
Collegiately, Bennett Jr. played two seasons at Georgia Tech (2019-20) with 31 tackles (19 solos, 12 assists) and two tackles for loss in 15 games for the Yellow Jackets. Then, he transferred to Virginia (2022-24) with 107 tackles (52 solos, 55 assists), 21 tackles for loss, eight sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 33 games for the Cavaliers.
In 2024, he made 39 tackles (20 solos, 19 assists), eight tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 12 games. Bennett Jr. was named an All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2022 and twice made the All-ACC Academic Team.
Sylvain Yondjouen is six foot four and weighs 260 pounds. The 27-year-old from Ruisbroek, Belgium, was drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the first round (6th pick) of the 2025 CFL Draft. Yondjouen attended the Carolina Panthers rookie minicamp in 2025. In 2025, Yondjouen played in two preseason games. He spent the season on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Yondjouen played six seasons at Georgia Tech (2019-24) with 76 tackles (40 solos, 36 assists), 15.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble, and seven pass breakups in 52 games for the Yellow Jackets. In 2024, made 24 tackles (14 solos, 10 assists), six tackles for loss, 2.5 tackles for loss, and five pass breakups in 13 games.
Deshawn Stevens is six foot two and weighs 255 pounds. The 28-year-old from Toronto, Ontario, signed with the B.C. Lions on December 6, 2024. In 2025, he made one tackle in one preseason game. Stevens played one regular-season game with no stats. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Stevens to the practice squad on July 30, 2025.
The Ottawa Redblacks drafted Stevens in the first round (6th pick) of the 2021 CFL Draft. In three seasons, Stevens made 8 tackles and 10 tackles on special teams in 30 games. In 2024, Stevens played one game with no stats. The Redblacks released him on July 22, 2024.
Collegiately, Stevens played four seasons at the University of Maine (2017-20) with 212 tackles (87 solos, 125 assists), 21.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, one pass breakup, one interception, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries in 29 games for the Black Bears.
He was named Second Team All-CAA, FCS Hero Sports Sophomore First Team All-American, and the team’s Walter Abbott Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2018 after making 120 tackles (53 solos, 67 assists), 17 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, one interception, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 14 games.
Then, Stevens transferred to West Virginia in 2021 with 12 tackles (10 solos, 2 assists) in 12 games for the Mountaineers.
Kendy Charles is six foot and weighs 287 pounds. The 24-year-old from Orange Park, Florida, signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on May 3, 2025. In 2025, Charles made two tackles and one sack in two preseason games. He spent the season on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Charles played four seasons at Liberty (2020-23) with 77 tackles (35 solos, 42 assists), 16 tackles for loss, nine sacks, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery in 30 games for the Flames. In his final season in 2023, Charles made 18 tackles (7 solos, 11 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and one fumble recovery in six games.
Then, he transferred to Duke in 2024 with 50 tackles (12 solos, 38 assists), seven tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery in 13 games for the Blue Devils. He was named a recipient of Duke’s Ace Parker Award in 2024.
Tuasivi Nomura is six foot one and weighs 221 pounds. The 24-year-old from Corona, California, signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2025. He attended training camp and was released on August 3, 2025. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Nomura to the practice squad on September 30, 2025.
Collegiately, Nomura played two seasons at USC (2019-22) with 35 tackles (16 solos, 19 assists), two tackles for loss, and one pass breakup in 33 games for the Trojans. Then, he transferred to Fresno State (2023-24) with 123 tackles (73 solos, 50 assists), nine tackles for loss, one sack, four pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 20 games for the Bulldogs.
He was named First Team All-Mountain West in 2024. He had four double-digit tackles in his final season, including a career-high 18 tackles against Air Force.
Alphonzo Tuputala is six foot two and weighs 203 pounds. The 24-year-old from Federal Way, Washington, attended the Seattle Seahawks rookie minicamp in 2025 and signed with them on August 12, 2025. In 2025, he made seven tackles (4 solos, 3 assists) and half a sack in two preseason games. The Seahawks released him on August 26, 2025. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Tuputala to the practice squad on September 30, 2025.
Collegiately, Tuputala played six seasons at Washington (2019-24) with 234 tackles (123 solos, 111 assists), 13.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, one interception for 76 yards, three pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 53 games for the Huskies.
In 2024, he started 14 games with 81 tackles (43 solos, 38 assists), four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and one pass breakup, helping Washington appear in the CFP National Championship Game against Michigan. He was named Fourth Team All-PAC 12 by Phil Steele, a team captain, and received the Guy Flaherty Award, given to the University of Washington football team’s most inspirational player.
Michael Hughes is six foot three and weighs 190 pounds. The 22-year-old from Charleston, West Virginia, Hughes attended the Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp in 2025. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Hughes to the practice squad on October 7, 2025.
Collegiately, Hughes played four seasons at Appalachian State (2021-24), making 35 of 42 field goals (83.3%) with a long of 54 yards, made 120 extra points, 280 kickoffs for 16,999 yards (60.7 AVG), 116 touchbacks, and one tackle (1 solo) in 46 games for the Mountaineers.
He is the all-time leader in field-goal percentages. Hughes was named Second Team All-American and FBS Specials Teamer of the Year by the College Football Network in 2023.
Joe Couch is five foot eleven and weighs 210 pounds. The 31-year-old from Torquay, Victoria, Australia, re-signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on May 26, 2025. In 2025, Couch punted the ball 66 times for 3,080 yards (46.7 AVG), with a long of 78 yards in 13 games.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Couch on May 7, 2024. In 2024, he punted the ball six times for 257 yards (42.8 AVG) with a long of 48 yards in two preseason games. He spent the 2024 season on the practice squad. The Roughriders re-signed him on May 6, 2025. They released him on March 14, 2025.
Couch played Australian rules football for Geelong College and trained with Prokick Australia before making his way to the United States.
Collegiately, Couch played three seasons at Ouachita Baptist University (2021-23) punting the ball 76 times for 3,397 yards (44.7 AVG) with a long of 63 yards, 10 touchbacks, 13 fair catches, 30 from inside the 20-yard line, 26 from 50-plus yards, 13 kickoffs for 751 yards (57.8 AVG), three touchbacks, and one carry for -9 yards in 29 games for the Tigers.
In 2022, Couch was named First Team All-Great American Conference, First Team D2CCA All-Region, and Second Team D2CAA All-American after punting the ball 32 times for 1,387 yards (43.3 AVG) with a long of 60 yards, two touchbacks, six fair catches, 15 from inside the 20-yard line, and 8 from 50-plus yards in 12 games.
The following year, Couch punted the ball 29 times for 1,297 yards (44.7 AVG) with a long of 63 yards, four touchbacks, five fair catches, 11 from inside the 20-yard line, and 10 from 50-plus yards in 11 games. Couch was named Second Team All-Great American Conference in 2023 and earned an invite to the College Gridiron Showcase. Couch majored in Kinesiology with a minor in nutrition and dietetics.