SASKATOON \u2014 Aubrey Miller Jr. is emphatic about one of his goals for the 2026 CFL season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like for the whole league to know who I am,\u201d the third-year Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker stated after Thursday\u2019s Coors Light Training Camp workout at Griffiths Stadium.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The level of appreciation is already high.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s 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,\u201d Head Coach Corey Mace said leading up to Monday\u2019s pre-season game against the host Calgary Stampeders. \u201cHe\u2019s kind of a tone-setter for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s 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\u2019re seeing from him. Ultimately, when we get to the game, hopefully that carries over, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re kind of homers, but we feel like that (about players) at multiple positions,\u201d Mace said. \u201cHe\u2019s got a chance in the mix to start for this one.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got nothing but faith in the kind of player that he is and the kind of teammate that he is. There\u2019s always value for a guy like that who\u2019s willing to go out there and play our style of football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miller\u2019s value to the team was underlined when he signed a new contract on Feb. 2. He had been eligible to test free agency.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to be better than I was last year,\u201d said Miller Jr., who missed half the 2025 regular season with a knee injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to complete a full season healthy and strong. I don\u2019t want to put any expectations on myself speaking-wise. I just want to do it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The calibre of his teammates helps in that regard.<\/p>\n
\u201cI get reps (at linebacker) against the best offence in this league,\u201d Miller Jr. said. \u201cThat\u2019s one of the greatest challenges. Not only does it make me better, it also makes my teammates better.\u201d<\/p>\n
And the surroundings? They could hardly be better.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis league has taught me a lot of things,\u201d said the Memphis-born Miller, who played college football at Missouri and Jackson State.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing in Canada, period, it\u2019s a beautiful place. There\u2019s a beautiful atmosphere. There\u2019s beautiful people \u2014 and very kind people.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy third year in the league, I\u2019m looking forward to it. It\u2019s completely different from America, but I won\u2019t take it for granted \u2026 not one bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
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