Photo courtesy: SMU Athletics
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American offensive lineman Justin Osborne to their training camp roster.
The six-foot-five, 305-pound blocker played 59 games and made 56 starts over five seasons at Southern Methodist University, serving primarily at right guard while pinch-hitting at both tackle spots. He was recognized three times at the conference level, earning first-team All-AAC honours in 2023, second-team in 2022, and honourable mention in 2024.
The native of Flower Mound, Tex., originally committed to Auburn University, but transferred after his redshirt season.
Osborne went unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft and signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent. He did not make the active roster and was waived.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders kept most of their big names in free agency but still suffered some key losses, including quarterback Jake Maier (Ottawa Redblacks), receiver Tommy Nield (Winnipeg Blue Bombers), defensive lineman Malik Carney (Edmonton Elks), linebacker A.J. Allen (Ottawa Redblacks), and strong-side linebacker C.J. Reavis (Ottawa Redblacks). Micah Johnson retired to become the team’s defensive line coach, while receiver Dohnte Meyers departed for an NFL shot with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Roughriders hold the ninth overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on May 10. Saskatchewan will play its first preseason game against the Calgary Stampeders on Monday, May 18 and its first regular-season game against the B.C. Lions on Saturday, June 13.
In 2025, Saskatchewan finished first in the West Division standings with a 12-6 record. The team went on to defeat the Montreal Alouettes in the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg, marking the club’s first championship in 12 years.