SASKATOON — Aubrey Miller Jr. is emphatic about one of his goals for the 2026 CFL season.
“I would like for the whole league to know who I am,” the third-year Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker stated after Thursday’s Coors Light Training Camp workout at Griffiths Stadium.
“I don’t want them to know just off this interview. I want them to know about how I play. It kind of sums up how I want to be viewed on this team.”
The level of appreciation is already high.
“He’s such an important part of the team and has been in a backup role as a linebacker and certainly as one of our junkyard dogs on special teams,” Head Coach Corey Mace said leading up to Monday’s pre-season game against the host Calgary Stampeders. “He’s kind of a tone-setter for us.
“He’s in the mix right now competing for a spot on the defence. Having experience being here and understanding the playbook, being able to go out there and play with more confidence is what you’re seeing from him. Ultimately, when we get to the game, hopefully that carries over, too.”
Miller Jr. joined the Roughriders in August of 2024 after a stint with the Edmonton Elks. The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder made eight special teams tackles in seven games with Saskatchewan that season.
Last year, he had five special teams tackles in nine regular-season appearances. He added three more stops over two post-season games, including two special-teams tackles in a 25-17 Grey Cup victory over the Montreal Alouettes.
Of the 14 defensive tackles Miller Jr. registered during the 2025 regular season, nine were recorded against the B.C. Lions on Oct. 25 at Mosaic Stadium.
Mace was asked whether such a performance demonstrated that Miller, who was used primarily in a support capacity on defence last season, could have started at linebacker for many rival teams.
“We’re kind of homers, but we feel like that (about players) at multiple positions,” Mace said. “He’s got a chance in the mix to start for this one.
“I’ve got nothing but faith in the kind of player that he is and the kind of teammate that he is. There’s always value for a guy like that who’s willing to go out there and play our style of football.”
Miller’s value to the team was underlined when he signed a new contract on Feb. 2. He had been eligible to test free agency.
“I want to be better than I was last year,” said Miller Jr., who missed half the 2025 regular season with a knee injury.
“I want to complete a full season healthy and strong. I don’t want to put any expectations on myself speaking-wise. I just want to do it.
“Whatever major role that I can play, I just want to be able to get promoted to that role and then be able to dominate that role.”
The calibre of his teammates helps in that regard.
“I get reps (at linebacker) against the best offence in this league,” Miller Jr. said. “That’s one of the greatest challenges. Not only does it make me better, it also makes my teammates better.”
And the surroundings? They could hardly be better.
“This league has taught me a lot of things,” said the Memphis-born Miller, who played college football at Missouri and Jackson State.
“Being in Canada, period, it’s a beautiful place. There’s a beautiful atmosphere. There’s beautiful people — and very kind people.
“My third year in the league, I’m looking forward to it. It’s completely different from America, but I won’t take it for granted … not one bit.”