Roughriders’ prospects set to strut their stuff
Rookie camp runs Thursday and Friday with some intriguing players in lineup
Most of the players participating in the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ two-day rookie camp need an introduction.
It’s no fault of the prospects that they aren’t known to Rider Nation because future CFLers have to start somewhere. For the most part, rookie camp is where young players take their first steps toward becoming professionals.
Rookie camp provides opportunities for prospects to learn about the CFL game and the Riders organization before the veterans arrive for main camp. The ultimate goal of rookie camp is to prepare the prospects for the competition that will take place at main camp.
Saskatchewan’s rookie camp is Thursday and Friday at Mosaic Stadium and both sessions run from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
The Riders are slated to open their main training camp at Saskatoon’s Griffiths Stadium on Sunday, pending approval of the new collective bargaining agreement by the league’s board of governors and ratification by the players.
The CFL announced early Wednesday that it had reached a tentative agreement with the CFL Players’ Association on what is reportedly a multi-year deal.
The following players can participate in rookie camp: Quarterbacks, quarterback interns, rookies with less than seven games of CFL experience, veterans recovering from corrective off-season surgery, and draft picks.
Veteran Riders quarterbacks Zach Collaros, Cody Fajardo and David Watford are allowed to throw at the rookie camp, if they so choose. They can also elect to skip rookie camp.
Des Catellier of the Manitoba Bisons will be with the Riders as part of the CFL’s Canadian quarterback internship program.
All of the Riders’ six 2019 draft picks are under contract and expected to be at rookie camp. The team announced on Wednesday that it has signed receivers Justin McInnis and Brayden Lenius, defensive back Jacob Janke and linebacker Chris Judge. Offensive lineman Vincent Roy and defensive tackle Charbel Dabire were signed last week.
The Riders selected McInnis sixth overall in the 2019 draft out of Arkansas State. The 6-foot-5 McInnis has the height and speed to make an immediate impact.
The rookie camp features a new wrinkle in response to CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie’s plans to expand the league beyond its Canadian borders. The Riders selected four prospects total in the Mexican and European drafts and they are expected to be at rookie camp.
Selected in the Mexican draft were Rene Valenuela (offensive line), Carlos Rivas (wide receiver) and Francisco Ramirez (defensive back).
Max Zimmermann, a wide receiver from Germany, was selected in the draft of international players.
It will be interesting to see how all of the global players match up against other prospects in camp. The global players have also been invited to main camp.
A roster of the prospects is expected to be available before Thursday’s session. With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the prospects to watch at rookie camp: Quarterback Isaac Harker: In 2018, the lone rookie quarterback on the Riders’ roster threw for 3,858 yards and 39 touchdown passes against 12 interceptions with the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers … Standing six feet and weighing 195 pounds, Harker is undersized for the NFL, but could be a good fit for the CFL … Signed after attending a Riders’ spring tryout camp in Bradenton, Fla. … According to online scouting reports, Harker has a rifle arm, quick release and good feet. Running back Jamal Morrow: Was a threat on offence and special teams with the Washington State University Cougars … In four seasons with the Cougars, he had 316 carries for 1,795 yards and nine touchdowns and recorded 202 receptions for 1,748 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had 24 kickoff returns for 476 yards and 22 punt returns for 200 yards … He ranks third in Washington State history with 4,219 all-purpose yards.
Offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley: The fifth-overall pick in the 2018 CFL draft had an introduction to the Riders during a five-day practice-roster stint in October. The Riders selected Shepley even though he had signed with the NFL’s New York Jets, who released the UBC product after the pre-season … Shepley (6-foot-4 and 310 pounds) is athletic and versatile … He can play guard, centre or tackle, which makes him a strong candidate to become the sixth offensive lineman while adjusting to the CFL.
Defensive end Chester Graves: At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Graves is a prototypical defensive end … Graves played two seasons at Iowa Western Community College, recording 118 defensive tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, seven quarterback sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries … Was rated the top junior college NCAA prospect after the 2018 season.
Defensive tackle Charbel Dabire: Was selected in the fifth round (44th overall) of the 2019 CFL draft out of Wagner College … Dabire has the dimensions (6-foot1, 300 pounds) that coaches covet in defensive tackles … The Toronto product dressed in 33 total games with Wagner, recording 73 defensive tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble … His size makes it difficult for offensive linemen to move him off the line against the run ... Has surprising quickness considering his size.
Receiver Brock McCoin: The international receiver signed with the Riders in February … Played three seasons at Tennessee Tech University (2014-16) before transferring to University of Alabama-Birmingham in 2017 … Dressed for 25 games with Tennessee Tech, recording 118 receptions for 1,410 yards and seven touchdowns … In 2014, McCoin started three games at quarterback at Tennessee Tech where he completed 25 of 51 passes for 458 yards and four touchdowns … McCoin (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) has focused on being a receiver since his stint as a quarterback with Tennessee Tech.
Receiver Max Zimmermann: In 11 games with Potsdam last season, the 25-year-old Zimmermann caught 33 passes for 644 yards and nine touchdowns. He also had a 71-yard punt-return touchdown ... Rookie camp will be an opportunity for Zimmermann to test himself against other prospects.
Defensive back Jacob Dearborn: Stood out at the 2019 Eastern combine, earning one of five invitations to the national combine … Set an Eastern combine record for defensive backs in the vertical jump (41 inches) and broad jump (11 feet, one inch) … Dearborn bettered his vertical jump by an inch at the national combine … He wasn’t drafted after spending three seasons at Carleton University and signed with the Riders as a free agent.