The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed former Auburn Tiger standout Zakoby McClain.

The Valdosta, Georgia native has NFL experience signing with the Baltimore Ravens after going unselected in the 2022 NFL draft. Most recently however, he was a member of the New Orleans Breakers in the USFL, in which he was teammates with now Edmonton Elk quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson and former CFL linebackers Vontae Diggs and Shaheed Salmon.

The 6-foot-0, 220-pound linebacker contributed in all four years during his time at Auburn, playing in 49 games while accumulating 267 defensive tackles (19 tackles for loss), six sacks, four forced fumbles, one interception, and nine pass deflections.

McClain’s play and production at the college ranks didn’t go unnoticed, being named to the All-SEC second team as a senior, while receiving an invitation to the prestigious East-West Shrine Game. Also, as a junior he led the nation in tackles with 113.

The 23-year-old performed well at the NFL combine, running a 4.69 forty-yard dash and claiming a 33-inch vertical jump. While in high school, ESPN ranked McClain as the No.12 best outside linebacker in his class.

Saskatchewan’s linebacker situation remains in flux, with starters from last year Larry Dean and Micah Teitz remaining unsigned, while the green and white released strong-side linebacker Derrick Moncrief earlier this month.