SASKATOON \u2014 The two CFL teams that appear on Devin Adams\u2019 varied sporting r\u00e9sum\u00e9 are to collide on Saturday at Griffiths Stadium.<\/p>\n
Adams, a 27-year-old defensive lineman, was a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2024 and 2025 before signing with Saskatchewan on Dec. 17.<\/p>\n
He will renew acquaintances with former teammates during the looming pre-season game in Saskatoon.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a lot of friends on that other team \u2014 guys who I\u2019ve built a relationship with for two years,\u201d Adams said after Thursday\u2019s Coors Light Training Camp session.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlaying against them, it\u2019s not like a revenge thing. It\u2019s like you\u2019re playing against one of your brothers. You\u2019ve got a lot of love for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of back and forth, saying, \u2018We\u2019re going to crush you,\u2019 and, \u2018I\u2019m going to make plays,\u2019 but it\u2019s all love at the end of the day. It\u2019s never anything bad.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Winnipeg) is where I got my start in professional football. I love them, but they\u2019re opponents this week. We play the game but, as soon as the game is done, we shake hands, give our brothers hugs, and send them on their way home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adams left home after attending Miramar (Fla.) High School to play football and baseball at Delaware State University.<\/p>\n
He also played for the Florida Pokers of the South Florida Collegiate Baseball League in 2018, recording a 3.54-earned run average over 28 innings pitched.<\/p>\n
He later took his multi-sport talents to Peru State College and ended up specializing in football at the small Nebraska school.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just because of maybe having an actual chance in football,\u201d Adams recalled. \u201cThere wasn\u2019t too much interest (from pro teams) as far as baseball. With football, it was like, \u2018You might have a chance at this.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n
After being named an NAIA First-Team All-American in 2021 and 2022 and earning Third-Team laurels as a senior, he attended the New England Patriots\u2019 rookie mini-camp in 2024. He then signed with Winnipeg and played in 24 games over the next two seasons.<\/p>\n
The 6-foot-1, 285-pounder had four sacks in 14 games with the 2024 Blue Bombers and added two sacks last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a bull in a china shop,\u201d Roughriders Head Coach Corey Mace said<\/a>. \u201cHe\u2019s extremely athletic. If some people look at him and think that he\u2019s not the tallest guy in the world, they might have a long day. He\u2019s giving people hell out there.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m really proud of the way that he has assimilated with the defence. After that, he knows what to do when we let him cook.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWE LOVE OUR TIME HERE\u201d<\/p>\n Destination Bridge City, between the Roughriders and Blue Bombers, will be the first Saskatoon-based CFL pre-season game since 1991. (Tickets are AVAILABLE HERE<\/a>.)<\/p>\n What kind of environment is expected on Saturday at the University of Saskatchewan Huskies\u2019 longtime home facility?<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve heard a million things,\u201d Mace said. \u201cI\u2019ve heard togas are maybe a thing here. I hope so. I want to see that.<\/p>\n \u201cOne thing I do know: You could put a field anywhere in this province and the people are going to show up in green and white. With the fact that this (Huskies) team here at the university has had the success and the fan support it has had, it won\u2019t shock me if this place is buzzing.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to that. It\u2019s exciting. It\u2019s awesome that we\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n That is also applicable in the larger sense, considering the Roughriders\u2019 appreciation for the people of Saskatoon and area.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re grateful,\u201d Mace said. \u201cThey treat us like gold anytime we\u2019re up here. The fans come out here every day. With the players having the interactions (with the fans) after practice, it\u2019s just incredible.<\/p>\n \u201cIt reminds you that, yes, this is a game, but we\u2019re fortunate enough to do it because of the people who support this team and have forever. These residents are obviously a big part of that.<\/p>\n \u201cWe love our time here.\u201d<\/p>\n THURSDAY HIGHLIGHTS<\/p>\n \u2022 The most picturesque play of the day was a 40-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Harris to Jayden Johnson. Harris displayed an immaculate touch while finding Johnson in stride on a corner route.<\/p>\n \u2022 Newcomer Johnny Johnson III<\/a> was the busiest receiver in 12-on-12 drills. He caught three passes. Jaylen Johnson, Kian Schaffer-Baker and Mathew Sexton<\/a> each had two catches. One of Sexton\u2019s receptions was a TD pass from Harris.<\/p>\n