For a team that still had a lot of questions to answer just a few short weeks ago, it looks as though things are coming together nicely for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
It was just this past Tuesday that the team selected eight new players in the 2022 CFL Draft.
Full list of players via CFL.ca:
1st Round: Samuel Emilus, WR, Louisiana Tech (7th)
2nd Round: Zach Fry, OL, Western University (16th)
3rd Round: Diego Alatorre Montoya, OL, UBC (27th)
4th Round: Tommy Bringi, LB, Wilfrid Laurier(36th)
5th Round: Tristan Fleury, DB, McGill (45th)
6th Round: Jayden Dalke, DB, Alberta (54th)
7th Round: Zach Herzog, DB, Hillsdale College (63rd)
8th Round: Riley Boersma, WR, Regina (72nd)
And from that list the standout is no doubt Samuel Emilus. Born in Montréal, the WR played his college ball at Louisiana Tech, and according to many, he could very well be the very embodiment of the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel for the Riders, who had such a disappointing finish to last season.
The 24 year old had a lot to say after his being drafted. The following statements were made as he spoke to the press:
“I’m proud of (the ability to do that). I really make myself proud of being able to come back down with the ball. I would say that Saskatchewan got someone they needed to…It was unreal (hearing my name called that early). We had a memory lane of the path I had to go through and accomplish…
It was great to finally play pro football and have a dream come true…I was a CFL fan. My favorite team was the Montreal Alouettes and during that time they were a good team with (Anthony) Calvillo and (S.J.) Green. They had a great team…
I heard about Riderville when I was watching when I was younger. I always saw the green wave in the stands and that was pretty cool. I heard they are the loudest in the league (and the) best fans in the league. I can’t wait if it happens, my chance to be with the Riders. I can’t wait to see it…
I was an inside receiver with the waggle as well so I don’t think the adjustment is going to be too hard…I hope to be part of the roster and be part of the team and fulfill one of my dreams of playing in the NFL…CFL is definitely an option for me so I don’t want to close the door on that.”
via Samuel Emilus /ckom.com
General manager for the Roughriders, Jeremy O’Day also had a few comments on the top acquisition. He said:
“He’s got enough speed where I don’t know if I would just isolate him on one position…He’s fast enough and has good enough ball skills where he attacks the ball. Some of his highlights are pretty impressive where he goes over top of defensive backs and makes plays…
I think it was just a little bit of an off-year (for the offence). We went from one of the best to one of the worst on the deep ball…Hopefully we get back to where we were a couple of years ago in making those big plays because they are important to us.”
via Jeremy O’Day /ckom.com (link above)
Overall the team is really starting to take shape with all of the new acquisitions. Training camp is set to start on the 15th in Saskatoon, with the Riders Rookie Camp starting on the 11th.
David Tress
May 9, 2022 at 1:11 pm
The key phrase Emilius uses is as follows “if it happens.” Remember he still has a date with the Arizona Cardinals. The Roughriders should make him an offer he cant refuse and it would be academic. Forget about the salary cap during a Grey Cup home year. Remember when the Roughriders signed both Sheets and Simon. It amounted to a Grey Cup victory.