The Calgary Stampeders have reinforced their roster by securing the signings of three American players, the club confirmed on Wednesday. Among the new additions is defensive lineman Cody Roscoe, whose recent stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders saw him take part in five games across the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Roscoe, hailing from Houston, delivered a total of four tackles, achieved one sack, and instigated one forced fumble during his time with the Roughriders. This follows a standout senior year at Syracuse University, where he earned first-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference honors, racking up 46 tackles and impressively notching 8.5 sacks over 12 games in 2021. Over two seasons with the Syracuse Orange, Roscoe accumulated 66 tackles, an impactful 18.5 of which were tackles for a loss, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a single fumble recovery. His earlier college football career included three seasons with McNeese State, where Roscoe’s consistent performance resulted in him amassing 94 tackles, 26 tackles for a loss, 16 sacks, in addition to four forced fumbles, an interception, and 12 passes defended over 30 games.
B.J. Emmons, a running back who previously landed on the Saskatchewan Roughriders‘ practice squad in 2022 and participated in their 2023 training camp, also signs with the Stampeders. Emmons saw action in a preseason game where he posted six carries for 27 yards and secured one reception for an additional seven yards. The Morganton, N.C. native found his initial foray into professional football as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021, later spending time with the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans. Emmons also had an interlude in the United States Football League, where he was chosen by Tampa Bay in the 2022 USFL draft, and during his stretch with the Bandits, he amassed 244 rushing yards and lodged one touchdown. His college trajectory concluded with two seasons at Florida Atlantic; there, Emmons tallied 88 carries for 353 yards and seven touchdowns across 10 games. His collegiate debut was with Alabama in 2017, where he added 173 rushing yards on 35 carries and a touchdown to his early career stats.
Completing the trio of acquisitions is wide receiver Isaiah ‘Zay’ Epps, a newcomer to the Canadian Football League. Epps, who took part in NFL rookie minicamp with the Cleveland Browns in 2023, completed his senior season at the University of Tulsa with 37 receptions, 429 receiving yards, and five touchdowns over 12 games. Epps’ football journey began at the University of Kentucky, spanning 43 games across four seasons and culminating in 31 catches for 365 yards and a single touchdown for the Wildcats.
With these strategic signings, the Calgary Stampeders bolster their lineup and look ahead to a dynamic 2024 season, anticipating the valuable contributions these players bring from their diverse football backgrounds.
