Excitement is continuing to build in Rider Nation. The Saskatchewan Roughriders are coming off back to back losing seasons, but with off season changes like a new coaching staff, a healthy Trevor Harris at quarterback, and some new players, this team should do much better than the 6 and 12 record of the last two years.
The Riders hosted at “Draft Party” at Mosaic as the team took part in the 2024 CFL Draft, picking up eight new potential players.
The Riders first pick, and third overall in the draft was offensive lineman Kyle Hergel from Boston College. He played 13 games for Boston College in 2023, allowing no sacks and just two quarterback hits on 402 drop backs.
With the second pick, the Riders “shopped local” picking up linebacker Nick Wiebe from the University of Saskatchewan.
Wiebe suited up for 31 games over three years with the Huskies picking up 199 defensive tackles, six tackles for a loss, and five sacks. The six foot one, 207 pound Wiebe led the Canada West conference with 77 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble in his last season with the U of S.
The picks went on into the evening with the Riders drafting the following players.
- Dhel Duncan-Busby (WR – Bemidji State) – 3rd round, 23rd overall
- Melique Straker (LB – Arkansas State) – 4th round, 32nd overall
- Daniel Johsnon (OL – Purdue) – 5th round, 41st overall
- D’Sean Mimbs (WR – Regina) – 6th round, 50th overall
- Ajou Ajou (WR – Garden City Community College) 7th round, 59th overall
- Richard Aduboffour (DB – Western) – 8th round, 68th overall
Now that the calendar has turned over to “May”, the Riders will start putting these new players and others through their paces at training camp in Saskatoon. Things get underway with the Rookie reporting May 6, and the main training camp opening the following Sunday, May 12. Eight days after that, May 20th, the Riders will play their first of two pre season games when they host Winnipeg at Mosaic Stadium.