Rider Nation is getting an early Christmas present.
The Roughriders announced on Wednesday that wide receiver Samuel Emilus – the most-valuable Canadian in the 2025 Grey Cup – has signed a two-year extension with the team. During the Grey Cup, which marked Saskatchewan’s first championship since 2013, Emilus went 10 for 10 for 108 yards, which represent the highest totals for any Rider receiver in the championship.
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The 28-year-old Emilus, who hails from Montreal, played seven games with the Green and White this season, recording 588 yards on 37 receptions for an average of 15.9 yards per catch. He also put up a strong performance during the CFL West Final, making nine catches for an even 100 yards.
Emilus was selected by the Riders seventh overall in the 2022 draft. He’s since played 57 games with the team, recording a total of 204 receptions for 2,914 yards and 13 touchdowns, amassing more than 1,000 yards in both 2022 and 2023. He also tied a Roughrider record in June of 2013 when he caught three touchdown passes during a game against Winnipeg.
“A sure target on offence, Emilus has a tendency to shine brightest when the stage is biggest,” the Roughriders said in a statement.
“His three highest single-game reception totals have all been in the post-season: 10 (2025 Grey Cup), nine (2024 West semi-final) and nine (2025 West final), and two of his 10 100-plus-yard games have come in the post-season.”
Before his CFL career, Emilus played for the Louisana Tech University Bulldogs, and spent three collegiate seasons playing for the University of Massachusetts.
A number of players from the Grey Cup championship team have signed extensions to stay in Saskatchewan, including starting quarterback Trevor Harris. Jermarcus Hardrick, Caleb Sanders, Thomas Bertrand-Hudon and Tommy Stevens have also signed extensions.