Photo courtesy: Youngstown State Athletics

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American offensive lineman Jaison Williams.  

The six-foot-four, 320-pound blocker attended Youngstown State University, where he made 52 starts across six seasons with the Penguins. He saw action at every position except centre, but was primarily utilized at right tackle, allowing just seven sacks and 53 total pressures across 1,636 career pass blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

Williams was an honourable mention All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection in 2021 and 2022, before receiving second-team recognition in 2023 and 2024. As a senior, he was named a third-team FCS All-American by SI.com.

The native of Trotwood, Ohio, signed with the New York Giants following the 2025 NFL Draft and attended training camp with the club. He did not make the final roster.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders finished first in the West Division standings in 2025 with a 12-6 record, finishing first in the West Division for the first time since 2019. The team went on to defeat the Montreal Alouettes in the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg, marking the team’s first championship in 12 years. Trevor Harris went 11-5 as a starter, throwing for 4,549 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.

The Roughriders ranked second in net offence, second in net defence, and tied for third with a turnover differential of plus-eight. The club’s leading rusher was A.J. Ouellette with 1,222 yards, the leading receiver was KeeSean Johnson with 1,159 yards, and the leading tackler was A.J. Allen with 91 tackles. Saskatchewan finished second in attendance with average crowds of 28,427, which was a 2.7 percent increase from the previous year.