The 2023 Canadian Football League season is off and running with training camp getting underway across the country.
In Saskatchewan, after a season of disappointment, there were several changes to the Roughriders, mostly on the offensive side of the football this season.
Quarterback Trevor Harris joins the Roughriders following a stint with Montreal.
The starting quarterback may be settled with the Riders, there should be some competitive battles in Saskatoon over the next few weeks.
Here is a look at some of the key battles for Saskatchewan heading to camp.
Offensive Line
After a season where the Saskatchewan Roughriders allowed 77 sacks, there will be plenty of competition in what will be a new looked offensive line for the Roughriders.
Peter Godber will likely take over at centre after he signed with the team as a free agent. He replaces Dan Clark and Logan Bandy, Clark has not re-signed with the Roughriders, while Bandy will be competing for a spot on the offensive line after making 11 starts in his rookie campaign.
With Philip Blake also joining the green and white as a free agent, it’s gives the coaching staff some options when they are configuring their starting lineup. If they choose to use the 37-year-old as a guard, it will likely create a battle involving last year starter’s at guards with Logan Ferland and Evan Johnson.
The team could also utilize Blake at the left tackle spot, allowing the Roughriders to possibly start four Canadians on the offensive line.
Saskatchewan may also elect use a pair of Americans at the tackle position, with newcomer Jearld Hawkins and second year veteran Kooper Richardson among the players that will contend for the starting spots on the perimeter of the the Saskatchewan starting offensive line.
Safety
The green and white defence will have a heavy veteran presence with majority of the starters returning from last year. One position that will see some change is the safety spot as Mike Edem is not back with the club.
Former first round pick, Nelson Lokombo will be one of the competitors for the position after he spent time playing cornerback in 2022. The former University of Saskatchewan is entering his third season with the Roughriders but missed his first season due to injury in 2021.
Jayden Dalke could also be another player that is in the running for the safety spot after his impressive rookie season where he spent time of special teams and on defence.
Less than two weeks ago, the Roughriders used their second-round pick on Jaxon Ford and the former University of Regina Ram will get an opportunity to showcase his potential at training camp in Saskatoon.
Jordan Beaulieu and Godfrey Onyeka are two other Canadians on the Roughriders roster who have experience roaming the backend of the secondary in the CFL.
Wide Receiver
It’s a brand new look receiving group in Saskatchewan, with players like Duke Williams, Shaq Evans and Kyran Moore leaving in the off-season along with Kian Schaffer-Baker recovering from off-season surgery. Brayden Lenius will be one of the few holdovers from last season.
Among the new faces with the group is Jake Wieneke who was Harris teammate over the last two seasons in Montreal.
Derel Walker has the most experience of any receiver for the Roughriders and is looking to rebound with a quarterback who was a former teammate in Edmonton.
One thing missing in the receiving core last season was a deep threat and the Riders are hoping they can fill that void with the signing of Shawn Bane Jr from the Calgary Stampeders.
Samuel Emilus, Juwan Brescacin and Mitchell Picton are Canadian players that could receive extensive playing time in 2023.
With plenty of new faces, there should be opportunities for everyone involved to become the go-to guy in the team’s receiving core.
The Roughriders will hold their first practice in Saskatoon from 9-12 on Sunday morning.
