Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Saskatchewan Roughriders Signings: Four New Faces

Today’s Saskatchewan Roughriders signings made a small splash: the Riders inked four new practice roster players who could be in gear almost immediately.

Much has been said about the Riders scouting department – some positive but a lot of negative. You have to question management at times, but fans have been far too critical this year. The Riders are getting better every day in that department.

Counting backwards there are names like Andre Monroe, Naaman Roosevelt, Jeff Knox Jr., Ryan Smith, and Mark LeGree. All of these names are first time CFL players with the Riders, and as scouting products, they could all bring major contributions for years to come.

At least three of these new players are likely to make a contribution to this team in the back half. If they don’t, many will question interim GM Jeremy O’Day or head of US scouting Ron Selesky. Rightly so? Who knows, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.

What is sure to happen every year around this time is the expansion of the practice rosters to allow the Riders to bring in these extra bodies.

Some think the club might have more needs on the defensive side of the ball, but with the recent ratio/personnel tinkering, things seem to be working themselves out there.

It’s never a good to see a top notch guy like Korey Williams being released. But this is a business, and hopefully Korey will catch on elsewhere.

The Riders brought in these four to push others and to fill in when needed. I, and everyone, should like these acquisitions a lot. More to come? I’ll stay tuned for you.

Press Release

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have added international receiver Marcus Davis, international quarterback Hutson Mason, international running back Chad Spann, and international linebacker Jonathan Willard to the practice roster.

Davis (6’3 – 225) joins the Riders after spending four seasons at Virginia Tech University. Through 53 career collegiate games, the 25-year-old recorded 105 receptions for 1,827 yards and 13 touchdowns. He received 2012 Coaches All-ACC Honorable Mention his senior season.

Following VTU, Davis signed with the New York Giants in April 2013 as an undrafted free agent before being claimed off waivers by the New York Jets. He also went on to spend time with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014.

Mason (6’2 – 212) signs with the Riders after spending four seasons at the University of Georgia. The 23-year-old completed 282 of 434 pass attempts (65.0%) for 3,492 yards and 29 touchdowns; starting 15 of his 26 career collegiate games played. As a senior, Mason set a Georgia school record for best completion percentage in a season (67.87).

He recently attended training camp with the Washington Redskins after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in May, 2015.

Spann (5’8 – 201) joins the Green and White after spending parts of three seasons in the NFL. The 27-year-old originally signed with the Indianapolis Colts in July, 2011 as an undrafted free agent after a standout collegiate career at Northern Illinois. Over the next two seasons the Indiana native split time between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets before playing one regular season game with the Houston Texans in 2013.

Willard (6’1 – 231) signs with the Riders after spending the 2013 season on the Tennessee Titans practice squad after originally signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in April, 2013. He returned to the Titans for 2014 training camp seeing action in three preseason games.

Before going pro, Willard spent four seasons at Clemson picking up 207 defensive tackles and 17 tackles for loss in 52 career collegiate games.

The Riders also announced today they have released veteran international receiver Korey Williams.

Share:

More Posts

Send Us A Message