Every CFL team needs players willing to do the difficult work. The players who sprint downfield on kick coverage. The ones who create the field position. The ones who earn trust before their names show up on the stat sheet.
For Saskatchewan Roughriders rookie linebacker David Gbenda, that role has become his first opportunity in the CFL. After signing with the Roughriders in March, the former Texas Longhorn earned a roster spot out of training camp and has quickly become a contributor on special teams, an area where head coach Corey Mace believes the rookie is beginning to establish himself.
Gbenda is coming off his most productive game of the season as he four tackles, two on defence and two on special teams, in a convincing win over Hamilton. He’s up to five tackles on special teams on the season.
“He’s growing into a role very similar to Aubrey (Miller Jr.), trying to solidify himself as a junkyard dog,” Mace said. “He’s got all the intangibles to do so, just more and more reps. We’ll see how that goes, but he’s been awesome.”
For a player entering his first professional season in Canada after spending time with the Tennessee Titans organization as an undrafted free agent in 2025, the adjustment has been significant for Gbenda, but welcomed.
“The experience has been nothing but a new experience, but it’s been fun,” Gbenda told SportsCage. “I’m excited to play football again. I’m grateful for this opportunity.”
The linebacker arrived in Saskatchewan expecting to join a competitive organization and says the reality has matched his expectations before signing.
“I personally thought I was getting into a winning organization and a winning team for what I’ve heard and what I saw,” Gbenda said. “So everything I saw is what I’m experiencing right now.”
That transition has involved not only adapting to a new team. The CFL game comes with an extra player, wider field dimensions and different responsibilities, especially for linebackers and special teams players. Gbenda said the learning curve was manageable thanks to veteran teammates.
“It was just different with 12 people as opposed to 11, but I picked up the rules pretty fast,” Gbenda said. “I had a great group of vets kind of help me and teach me up on the rules, so it wasn’t that hard.”
One adjustment stands out immediately.
“The field is a lot bigger,” Gbenda said with a smile. “But it makes it much more fun.”
That mentality fits what Mace wants from his core special teams players.
Asked whether describing special teams as controlled chaos was fair, Mace embraced the idea.
“I think you have to, you heard it for years now, it’s kind of the proving ground before you get on offence or defence,” Mace said. “But you've got to be a little nuts to be a special-teamer and be a core-teamer. If you are nuts, it’s a good thing.”
Gbenda appears comfortable with that identity. When told Mace believes he’s becoming someone the team can rely on for consistency in the kicking game, the rookie didn’t overcomplicate his approach.
“I just feel thankful for the opportunity and just the role that they’ve placed upon me,” Gbenda said. “I’m just ready to do my job and make sure I do it to the best of my ability.”
And his definition of that job is simple.
“My job is just to make plays.”
While the linebacker’s opportunities have come primarily on special teams, his goals extend beyond individual production.
“I’d say my personal goal is just to make sure I can help lead the team in any way I can, whether it’s tackles, turnovers or anything like that,” Gbenda said. “But honestly, where I’m at right now in terms of helping produce for the team and helping us win, that’s my ultimate goal.”
As Saskatchewan continues its season, players like Gbenda may not receive the same attention as offensive stars or defensive playmakers. But inside the locker room, those roles matter. And if the rookie continues earning trust the way he has through the opening weeks, his impact could grow beyond special teams.
