New faces, new opportunity: Desmond Evans set for starting role as Roughriders unveil Week 1 depth chart.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have released their roster and depth chart for Saturday’s season opener against the B.C. Lions and while much of the championship core remains intact, one of the biggest storylines heading into Week 1 sits along the defensive line.
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium. Coverage on the Rider Broadcast Network begins at 2 p.m. with Countdown to Kickoff before the Rider Nation Pregame at 4 p.m.
Fresh off their 2025 Grey Cup championship season, Saskatchewan enters the new year with some notable changes up front defensively. The biggest turnover comes on the defensive line where Caleb Sanders steps into the starting defensive tackle spot previously occupied by Micah Johnson. James Vaughters will start at one defensive end position while newcomer Desmond Evans gets the nod on the opposite side, replacing Malik Carney and Haba Baldonado in the lineup. Mike Rose remains the lone returning starter inside.
For Evans, earning a starting role to open the season marks the latest step in a journey that has taken him from being one of the most highly regarded high school prospects in the United States to beginning his CFL career in Saskatchewan.
Signed by the Roughriders in January, the six-foot-six defensive end arrives after spending five seasons at North Carolina where he appeared in 55 games, collecting 124 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and nine sacks. In 2025, he signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent and appeared in three pre-season games before eventually landing north of the border.
The adjustment hasn’t been immediate. Evans admitted taking time away from football created challenges entering camp, but said his confidence has grown steadily as he settled into both the system and the locker room.
“I feel very confident right now,” Evans said. “Taking a year off the ball really kind of hurt me, but getting back into it, learning from veteran guys, it’s helped me out a lot.”
That development hasn’t just happened during practice. According to Evans, building chemistry off the field has been equally important for a defensive line group trying to establish itself entering the season.
“Most of the thing is off the field,” Evans explained. “You got to have a good relationship off the field, then on the field. We hang out a little bit, have dinners, watch film together. That’s how we build our relationship off the field, so when it comes to on the field, it’s easier.”
The transition to the CFL has also required technical adjustments. Playing a yard off the line of scrimmage and learning the rhythm of the Canadian game has forced Evans to rethink details as simple as his first step.
“With me, it’s more so my get-off,” Evans said. “Down south it’s more like five steps to the quarterback, but up here it’s more like six, seven. Coach told me with that front, you got to lift it up just a little bit so you can get a good get-off. That’s what I’ve been trying to work on.”
Head coach Corey Mace said Evans’ physical profile immediately stands out, but believes his growth curve could make him even more dangerous.
“He’s a big human being,” Mace said. “I don’t think we’ve had some of his stature here since our time being here. My favourite part is he’s constantly getting better each day. When he puts it all together, and I hope that’s not any time soon, I hope it just trends better, better, better every week throughout the year. Boy, that’s going to be special.”
Now Evans gets his first chance to show that progression in meaningful football.
The former top-ranked high school defensive end in the United States enters Week 1 with a simple goal.
“My job is to go out there and win my one-on-one,” Evans said. “That’s what I’m going to do.”
