SASKATOON \u2014 Corey Mace began rookie camp with a veteran move.<\/p>\n
As the cameras rolled at Griffiths Stadium, the Saskatchewan Roughriders\u2019 Head Coach conveyed a very public message to his wife, Petra.<\/p>\n
\u201cA quick shout-out \u2026 happy anniversary, babe,\u201d Mace said. \u201cLove you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The CFL\u2019s reigning Coach of the Year commemorated the 10-year milestone as part of the team\u2019s first media scrum of the 2026 season \u2014 a chat that followed the rookies\u2019 first workout of the year at Griffiths Stadium.<\/p>\n
The Green and White returned to the field 171 days after defeating the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 in the 112th Grey Cup Game.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur next game is not for a trophy,\u201d Mace said when asked about the Roughriders\u2019 status as defending champions. \u201cWe\u2019re working like we\u2019re starving, because everybody across the league wants to play in the last game of the year. We\u2019re no different than anybody else. We\u2019ve got to go earn the right to do that.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is Day 1 and it\u2019s incredible to be out here to get back on that journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rookie-camp workouts are also set for Thursday and Friday on the University of Saskatchewan campus. The main portion of Coors Light Riders Training Camp, incorporating the veterans, is to commence on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a smart group of football players,\u201d Mace said. \u201cWe talked about that as a staff (Tuesday) night in meetings. It was nice to see it parlay on to the field (on Wednesday).<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an intelligent group of football players, so that\u2019s encouraging. With the rookie class, we want them to be up to speed so they can fly around and push the competition once the vets come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Players on one side of the ball stood out for Mace during Day 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the defence walked away with the win today,\u201d he said, \u201cso we\u2019re looking forward to seeing how the offence responds tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
JuJu Hughes and Seyi Oladipo Jr. each had an interception to lead the defensive highlight reel.<\/p>\n
The rangy James Burgess Jr., who is 6-foot-3, had two pass knockdowns in short order. Garnett Hollis Jr. was the other defensive back to knock down a pass on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
David Gbenda added a knockdown from his linebacking post. He was also quick to diagnose and thwart a running play.<\/p>\n
Tyrie Cleveland, who played in 23 regular-season games with the Cleveland Browns, looked every bit the established pro during his first CFL workout. He made the catch of the day \u2014 a twisting reception of a long pass for a touchdown.<\/p>\n
Freddie Swain\u2019s NFL experience (33 games with the Seattle Seahawks) was on display as he smoothly settled under a long pass and glided into the end zone.<\/p>\n
Factor in Hughes, whose 26-game NFL career included time spent with the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions, and it was a banner day for CFL rookies with four-down credentials.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose are the things you\u2019re excited about,\u201d Mace said. \u201cYou never know until you see them in person, but judging by the film that they\u2019ve had to get to this point, they\u2019re really good players.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re kind of matching them up with other guys who have had a bunch of success to this point. We want to see who rises to the top.\u201d<\/p>\n
SHEMAR\u2019S SIZZLING START<\/p>\n
Shemar McBean enjoyed another new beginning on Wednesday, taking part in his first practice with a professional football team.<\/p>\n
McBean celebrated an earlier milestone in fine style, catching a 98-yard touchdown pass for the UBC Thunderbirds in his introductory Canada West game \u2014 a 30-21 victory over the Alberta Golden Bears on Sept. 3, 2022 in Vancouver.<\/p>\n
He finished the contest with five catches for a game-high 136 yards.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is definitely a highlight of my career,\u201d said McBean, the Roughriders\u2019 speedy seventh-round selection (65th overall) in the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t expect it to happen that way, but I\u2019m glad it did. I\u2019ll definitely remember that (98-yard) play. It\u2019ll be deep in my heart forever.\u201d<\/p>\n
Later that season, McBean scored a 46-yard TD in his first game at Mosaic Stadium to help UBC post a 28-14 playoff victory over the University of Regina Rams on Nov. 5, 2022.<\/p>\n
(Current Riders receiver D\u2019Sean Mimbs was the game\u2019s leading pass-catcher, with six receptions for 71 yards on behalf of the Rams.)<\/p>\n
Most recently, McBean had nine catches for 134 yards and one TD in the Thunderbirds\u2019 31-29 victory over the Rams at Leibel Field on Oct. 24, 2025.<\/p>\n
McBean also has two career TD receptions at Griffiths Stadium. His 12-yard score in a Nov. 1 playoff game against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies was the Thunderbirds\u2019 final major of 2025.<\/p>\n
Last season, McBean caught 49 passes for 792 yards and four TDs in nine games. His average yardage per game (88.3) was ninth in U Sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cShemar had an outstanding season at UBC last year,\u201d Mace said. \u201cNow he\u2019s just trying to digest the pro playbook. We\u2019ll see what that looks like for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not afraid to play Canadian receivers. We believe we\u2019ve got some really good ones. Those guys are going to be in the mix to go and try to earn a spot on this team.\u201d<\/p>\n
DRAFTEE WATCH<\/p>\n
Receiver Dylan Djete, Saskatchewan\u2019s second-round Draft choice (18th overall) in 2026, was sidelined on Wednesday with a minor soft-tissue issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll be out here fairly soon,\u201d Mace said. \u201cHe\u2019s a guy we thought highly of, as shown by where we picked him in the Draft.\u201d<\/p>\n
Djete, from Levis, Que., caught 28 passes for 422 yards and four TDs in 12 games with the Alabama State Hornets last season.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s an excellent player,\u201d Mace said. \u201cHe\u2019s going to have a great shot. But, like anybody else, he\u2019s got to go out there and prove it.\u201d<\/p>\n
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