The Saskatchewan Roughriders have added two Americans to their training camp roster in defensive back Nicario Harper and receiver Joe Robustelli.
Harper joins the Roughriders after attending rookie minicamp with the Indianapolis Colts (Roughriders rookie offensive lineman Daniel Johnson also attended), after spending last season at the University of Illinois.
The six-foot, 205-pound cover man tallied 50 tackles, two tackles for loss, three pass deflections and one interception across 12 games for the Fighting Illini.
Prior to Illinois, the Atlanta, Georgia native began his collegiate career at Southern Mississippi before transferring to Jacksonville State. During his two years as a Gamecock, he was dominant, recording 146 tackles, five tackles for loss, five interceptions, nine pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries. In his debut season, Harper was awarded AP First Team FCS All-American and FCS ADA All-American honours as the best player in the nation at his position.
Robustelli makes his way to the land of the living skies via Tusculum University, a Division II program located in Tennessee. The six-foot-two, 220-pound pass catcher made 20 catches for 475 yards, six touchdowns, and averaged 23.8 yards per catch across eight games this past season.
Both men will join Saskatchewan following their 25-12 win against the Blue Bombers and will look to suit up for the Riders’ final preseason contest against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday.
In corresponding moves, Riderville announced the releases of American linebacker KD Davis, and former NFL defensive back Nick Nelson.