Even as the CFL strike entered its third day Tuesday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders got one piece of business done.
The Roughriders announced they had signed wide receiver Samuel Emilus, their first-round pick (seventh overall) in the 2022 draft.
The signing of the 6-foot-1, 200-pound receiver means the Roughriders have locked up their entire 2022 draft class.
Saskatchewan previously had signed offensive lineman Zack Fry (second round, 16th overall), offensive lineman Diego Alatorre Montoya (third round, 27th overall), linebacker Tommy Bringi (fourth round, 36th overall), defensive back Tristan Fleury (fifth round, 45th overall), defensive back Jayden Dalke (sixth round, 54th overall), defensive back Zach Herzog (seventh round, 63rd overall) and receiver Riley Boersma (eighth round, 72nd overall).
Emilus signed with the Roughriders after attending rookie mini-camp with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals.
Emilus played three seasons at the University of Massachusetts, catching 59 passes for 653 yards and seven touchdowns, returning six kickoffs for 114 yards and adding four punt returns for 57 yards.
He spent his final collegiate season at Louisiana Tech University, where he had 17 receptions for 257 yards and three touchdowns and three kickoff returns for 66 yards.
Due to the strike, the Roughriders have cancelled all training-camp practices until further notice.