Saskatchewan Roughrider Marcus Sayles, who recorded four interceptions and was named an All-CFLer in 2024, could become a free agent. (Saskatchewan Roughriders/Supplied)

By Britton Gray/CJME

Key starter spots

Defensive backs, linemen a need for Riders ahead of free agency

Feb 1, 2025 | 9:04 AM

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will look to return to the Grey Cup for the first time since 2013 this season.

The team took positive steps towards that goal last season, returning to the playoffs and playing in the West Final under first-year head coach Corey Mace.

Now the team will look to continue to build off of that momentum heading into year two under Mace.

While the offence has plenty of starters back, the defence still has some holes to fill ahead of CFL Free Agency on Feb. 11.

A couple key starter spots still appear to remain open in the defensive backfield and the defensive line.

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The CFL Free Agency communication window runs Feb. 2-9.

The Riders kick off the regular season on June 5 against the Ottawa Redblacks.

After previewing the offence on Friday, here’s a look at the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive line

Signed: Habakkuk Baldonado, Eric Black, Rondell Bothroyd, Malik Carney, Charbel Dabire, Benoit Marion, Caleb Sanders, Shane Ray.

Pending free agents: Christian Albright, Miles Brown, Bryan Cox Jr., Micah Johnson, Anthony Lanier II.

A number of starters along the defensive line remain without a contract extension ahead of the 2025 season.

Lanier II, Johnson, Brown and Cox Jr. all started multiple games for the Riders. Johnson was named an All-CFLer for his performance in 2024, recording six sacks.

Lanier II has been with the team since 2021 but has had trouble remaining on the field due to injuries.

The team did sign former Super Bowl and Grey Cup champion Ray to a contract this off-season.

Sanders provided a boost for the Riders throughout the season as he saw more and more playing time. He had three sacks this past season.

Carney has been signed to a contract extension, with the defensive end recording four sacks in 13 games.

Linebackers

Signed: A.J. Allen, C.J. Avery, Jordan Herdman-Reed, Justin Herdman-Reed, Braxton Hill, Aubrey Miller Jr., Zachary Philion, Melique Straker, Jameer Thurman, Nick Wiebe, C.J. Reavis.

Pending free agents: Adam Auclair.

The Riders have almost every linebacker from 2024 under contract for 2025. The only one without a contract for the new season is Auclair — a national linebacker who dressed for 15 games for the Riders. He was the team’s primary weak-side linebacker for most of the season.

One of the biggest re-signings for the club was Thurman at middle linebacker. Thurman was one of the leaders on the defensive side of the ball in his first season with the Riders. He had 76 tackles, a sack and two interceptions for the club.

Reavis is coming off a year where he was named the All-CFL SAM linebacker. Reavis was in his first full season as the team’s starter at the position. He recorded 89 tackles and four sacks in 2024.

Allen, the Herdman-Reed twins, Philion, Straker and Wiebe all provide Canadian depth for the club.

Linebacker Jameer Thurman signed an extension to keep him with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)

Defensive backs

Signed: Richard Aduboffour, Antoine Brooks Jr., Jayden Dalke, DaMarcus Fields, Jaxon Ford, Nicario Harper, Robert Javier, Nelson Lokombo, Rolan Milligan Jr., Alfahlym Walcott.

Pending free agents: Amari Henderson, Godfrey Onyeka, Kosi Onyeka, Marcus Sayles, Deontai Williams.

The defensive backfield is another group that could see a couple of new faces for the Riders.

One of the top players still without a contract extension is Sayles. Sayles, who was released by the B.C. Lions after training camp, played in 17 games for the Riders. He recorded four interceptions and was named an All-CFLer.

Henderson and Williams were swapped at different times throughout the season in the defence but neither appears set to return for 2025.

The Riders do have one of the best defenders in the CFL back for this season. Milligan Jr. — the 2024 CFL defensive player of the year — will once again return to terrorize opposing quarterbacks. Milligan Jr. recorded a league-leading eight interceptions. The team announced Milligan Jr. signed an extension to keep him in Saskatchewan through 2026.

The team signed both Lokombo and Dalke to extensions meaning the team will likely have a Canadian starting at safety.

Special teams

Signed: Brett Lauther, Adam Korsak, Jorgen Hus, Joe Couch.

Pending free agents: None.

The special teams look to remain consistent for the Riders in 2025.

Hus will return for his 10th CFL season, with the long-snapper playing with the Riders for every one of those years. He was named the 2024 Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award winner.

Lauther had a rough start to the 2024 campaign but was one of the most consistent kickers to end the season. He finished the campaign with an 82.8 field goal percentage.

Korsak will be back for a third CFL season. The Australian punter averaged 47.2 yards per punt in 2024.

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