KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris (7) runs drill during practice at Mosaic Stadium on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 in Regina.
Taylor Shire
Regina Leader-Post
There’s plenty of continuity but also some new faces on the roster for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2026.
Entering the off-season with 44 pending free agents, the Grey Cup champions were able to sign half of them back while others including A.J. Allen, C.J. Reavis, Malik Carney and Dohnte Meyers have moved on to opportunities elsewhere. Saskatchewan also made a change to the coaching staff as head coach Corey Mace has handed off the defensive coordinator duties to Joshua Bell.
Despite the off-season losses, the Green and White still appear to be in good shape to defend their title following a busy off-season of contract extensions and free agent deals. Saskatchewan will add more talent to the roster in the CFL Draft which is set for Apr. 28, followed by the Global draft on Apr. 29.
Before training camp opens in nearly 12 weeks, here’s a look at the Roughriders projected roster:
*denotes American, ^denotes Global
Quarterback
Projected starter: Trevor Harris*
Backups: Jack Coan*, Tommy Stevens*, Jordan McCloud*, Brayden Schager*
Coach: Marc Mueller (offensive coordinator)
Analysis: Harris, last year’s Grey Cup MVP who will be 40 when camp begins, is back to lead the Roughriders for a fourth straight season while Stevens will serve as the short-yardage quarterback. Coan, a third-year Roughrider, will almost undoubtedly be the backup in 2026 while a practice roster spot will be up grabs between Schager and McCloud. Even though they lost veteran Jake Maier in free agency, quarterback is still a position of strength for the Riders — but only if Harris stays healthy.
Running back and fullback
Projected starter: A.J. Ouellette*
Backups: Thomas Bertrand-Hudon, Mario Anderson Jr.*, Peny Boone*, Darrell Henderson Jr.*
Fullbacks: Albert Awachie, Morgen Runge
Coach: Andrew Harris
Analysis: Intrigue has been added to this position with the signing of NFL veteran Darrell Henderson Jr. last week. While Ouellette will undoubtedly be the starter in 2026, the 28-year-old Henderson will be in the mix for a backup spot with Anderson, returning for his second year, and Boone, an American rookie. Bertrand-Hudon, a reliable Canadian, carries plenty of value as a backup and special teamer while fullbacks Awachie and Runge are also set to return from last year.
Receiver
Projected starters: KeeSean Johnson*, Samuel Emilus, Kian Schaffer-Baker, Ajou Ajou, to-be-determined American
Backups: Dhel Duncan-Busby, D’Sean Mimbs, Daniel Wiebe, James Letcher Jr.*, Abdul Janneh Jr.*, Collin Brunstein*, Siaosi Mariner*, Malik Knowles*, Ali Jennings III*, Tyrie Cleveland*, Freddie Swain*, Juwann Winfree*
Coach: Marquay McDaniel
Analysis: Continuity seems to be a common theme in the offence and the receivers are no different as Johnson, Emilus and Schaffer-Baker all re-signed this off-season while Ajou and Duncan-Busby will compete for the third starting Canadian spot which was held by Tommy Nield, who went to Winnipeg in free agency. That leaves one American starting spot up for grabs with Meyers going to the NFL and Joe Robustelli signing with Edmonton in free agency. There are a few rookies with NFL experience while Mariner has some CFL experience, but this will no doubt be a top battle to watch in camp.
Additionally, Letcher, a free agent signing, will be the front-runner to handle return duties with Mario Alford joining the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. However, all it takes is a few nice returns in the pre-season to make this an interesting decision (see Drae McCray, 2025).
Offensive line
Projected starters: left tackle Payton Collins*, left guard Zack Fry, centre Logan Ferland, right guard Jacob Brammer*, right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick*
Backups: Daniel Johnson, Erik Andersen, Dayton Black, Darius Washington*, Yoseph Carter*, Jaison Williams*
Coach: Edwin Harrison
Analysis: Considering the Riders haven’t signed a veteran centre in free agency, Ferland is expected to stay at centre in 2026 after being moved over from guard in camp last year following an injury to Sean McEwen. Hardrick is a mainstay on the right side while Collins earned his starting spot last year in camp. Brammer, an American who was named an all-CFLer last year, is returning at right guard while Fry will be the first option to start at left guard. However, he will be pushed by Andersen, a 2025 draft pick, and Black, a CFL veteran with 22 games of experience and maybe Johnson, who has mainly been a tackle with the Riders. Saskatchewan will likely add another lineman or two in the draft but it would be tough to imagine a rookie cracking this already strong lineup.
Defensive line
Projected starters: Defensive ends James Vaughters* and Aaron Patrick*, defensive tackles Mike Rose* and Caleb Sanders*
Backups: Lake Korte-Moore, Benoit Marion, Ali Saad, Liam Hoskins, Kendy Charles*, Chico Bennett Jr.*, Davin Vann*, Sundiata Anderson*, Devin Adams*, Jaylen Pate*, Desmond Evans*, Marcus Haynes*, J.J. Weaver*, Sylvain Yondjouen^
Coach: Micah Johnson
Analysis:Vaughters is the answer Saskatchewan needed at defensive end after Carney left in free agency. But there’s still another starting defensive end to determine as Habakkuk Baldonado left in free agency while Shane Ray remains a free agent. Patrick, who excelled on special teams last year, might be the first to get a look but there are several other Americans who will be in camp this year. This spot will be determined in the training camp and it’s anyone’s guess as to who will come out on top.
At defensive tackle, Rose is the lone returning starter with Johnson taking over coaching duties. Sanders is ready for more playing time this year while Saad, a Canadian, could certainly be in the mix to start if the ratio were to change.
Linebacker
Projected starters: Middle Jameer Thurman*, weakside Josh Woods*, strongside Antoine Brooks Jr.*
Backups: Aubrey Miller Jr.*, Tyron Vrede^, Melique Straker, Nick Wiebe, Seth Hundeby, Vi Jones*
Coach: Travis Brown
Analysis: After weakside linebacker was a Canadian starting spot last year with Allen, it will likely now be an American spot as Woods and Miller will compete for the role in camp. Miller is a standout special teamer who looked good at the position last year when he got his opportunity while Woods is coming off a five-year stint with the B.C. Lions, starting 10 games at weakside last year.
At strongside linebacker, Brooks is going to get his shot to start from Day 1 as he will be in line to replace Reavis who left in free agency. No concerns here though as Brooks looked more than capable last year, including in the Grey Cup. However, some depth still needs to be added.
Defensive back
Projected starters: Cornerbacks Tevaughn Campbell and Marcus Sayles*, halfbacks Rolan Milligan* and DaMarcus Fields*, and safety Nelson Lokombo
Backups: Jaxon Ford, Jayden Dalke, Kerfalla Exume, Gideon Agyei, Nafees Lyon*, Sheldrick Redwine*, Benny Sapp III*, Garnett Hollis Jr.*, James Burgess Jr.*
Coach: Jordan Linnen
Analysis: Zero concerns here as the Roughriders retain all five starters from last season. And not just five starters, but a group featuring some of the league’s best defenders. There’s also decent depth behind them as Lyon, Redwine and Sapp all played last year while Ford and Dalke would be next in line at safety.
Special teams
Projected starters: kicker Michael Hughes*, punter Jesse Mirco, to-be-determined long snapper
Backup: kicker Jonathan Kim*
Coaches: Kent Maugeri, assistant Jeff Stusek
Analysis: We know one thing: the Riders are making a change at kicker and are now going with an American after releasing veteran Brett Lauther this off-season. And while Hughes has the leg up on the starting kicking spot considering he was here last year, this will likely be a position determined in the pre-season as they put both kickers to the test. Meanwhile, long snapper Jorgen Hus remains a free agent and if he elects to not re-sign, the Riders will need to find someone to fill the role.
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