SASKATOON — How is training camp No. 3 for No. 3?

“It’s actually kind of crazy,” Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver KeeSean Johnson said after Monday’s Coors Light Training Camp workout. “We were just talking about that yesterday.

“It feels like home again — somewhere I’ve been for multiple years now. I know where everything is and I know where to go. Some of the young guys can lean on me now.”

Johnson was a newcomer to the CFL — but not pro football — when he joined the Roughriders in 2024.

After a strong first season in Riderville, the former Arizona Cardinals pass-catcher earned All-CFL honours in 2025. He caught 86 passes for 1,159 yards and four touchdowns in 16 regular-season games.

Johnson’s All-CFL form was on display during Day 2 of main training camp when he caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Brayden Schager at Griffiths Stadium. The throw hit Johnson, who was open by a couple of steps, in stride to complete a highlight-reel play.

“Seeing the ball come your way always feels good,” Johnson said with a smile. “When you see the ball, you’ve got to get the ball. That’s obviously the main thing in our receiver room, so that’s what we’ve got to do.”

Johnson was the league’s runaway leader in second-down receptions (39) in 2025 despite missing the final two regular-season games with a knee injury. He also was sidelined him for the Western Final and Grey Cup Game.

Johnson’s status was a day-to-day matter during Grey Cup Week. He was close to recovering in time for the championship game, but ultimately sat out the Roughriders’ 25-17 victory over the Montreal Alouettes.

“It was an every-day thing, but our new motto is ‘2026,’ ” he said. “We’re trying to leave 2025 there. We’re champions, but let’s leave it there.”

ROLAN’S STILL ROLLIN’

Rolan Milligan Jr. made Tuesday’s most spectacular play, hands down.

The veteran defensive halfback — an All-CFL selection each of the past two years — treated the crowd to a one-handed interception of a deep pass during a receivers-versus-DBs exercise.

“Rolan Milligan is still good at football,” Head Coach Corey Mace said with a laugh.

Also on Tuesday, 2025 Grey Cup MVP completed 10 of 11 passes in 12-on-12 drills. The lone incomplete throw was catchable.

“Trevor has been very Trevor, which is excellent for us,” Mace said.

Mace also lauded quarterback Brayden Schager, who is attending his first CFL training camp. He was on the Roughriders’ practice roster last October.

“Schager is making the most of his reps,” Mace said.

The CFL’s reigning Coach of the Year added a note of commendation for receiver Daniel Wiebe, a University of Saskatchewan Huskies grad who was named the top player in Canada West football last year.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Mace was asked for an early appraisal of rookie defensive lineman Jaylen Pate.

“He’s a horrible dancer,” the response began. “He was doing some Michael Jackson last night.

“It was bad.”

Get it?

Circling back to the aforementioned Milligan Jr. interception: It was a thriller.

EXTRA POINTS

• Schager, Trevor Harris, Jack Coan, Tommy Stevens and Jordan McCloud all threw at least one pass in 12-on-12 drills. Collectively, the QBs were 17-for-22. Two of the incompletions were on catchable passes.

• Veteran defensive halfback DaMarcus Fields nearly had an interception in 12-on-12 competition. Linebacker Melique Straker, a third-year Roughrider, added a pass deflection.

• The Roughriders released defensive back Billy Jonas Pernier on Monday. Pernier, who played U Sports football at Laval, signed with the Roughriders as an undrafted free agent.

• Mace was asked when the players would first practise in full pads. The response: “You guys might want to be here tomorrow.”