Roughriders’ rookie camp set to kick off

Members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ rookie class are getting in some extra work.

Rookie training camp opens Wednesday at Saskatoon’s Griffiths Stadium as the Riders’ 2023 roster begins to take shape. Main camp is expected to begin Sunday, when the CFL veterans will take the field.

This year’s crop of rookies includes recent CFL draft picks as well as a few players who spent some time in the NFL.

One name some fans will find familiar is that of defensive back Jaxon Ford.

Ford played his university football in Regina as a member of the U of R Rams. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Ford was a 2022 Canada West all-star. He had five interceptions in four seasons as a member of the Rams. Ford was taken in the second round of this season’s CFL draft.

He has a golden opportunity to earn a starting spot in his first season with the Riders’ safety spot an open competition. Last year’s starter, Mike Edem, was not brought back.

Ford is the grandson of Al Ford, an all-time Riders great. Al played 12 seasons for Saskatchewan from 1965 to ’76 and was the team’s general manager from 1989 to ’99.

The Riders’ first-round pick from this year’s draft might not have a Riders connection, but he could push for some playing time with a strong camp.

Lake Korte-Moore was the third overall selection in the draft, with the defensive end adding to Saskatchewan’s Canadian depth at the position.

Prior to the draft, the Riders only had defensive end Nick Dheilly and defensive tackle Charbel Dabire on their roster as national D-linemen.

One of the big groups Rider fans will be paying attention to throughout camp will be the offensive line. The Riders gave up a CFL-high 77 sacks last season and protection will be of even more importance this year with Trevor Harris as the team’s pivot.

Zack Fry was taken in the second round of the 2022 CFL draft and attended last season’s camp before returning to Western for his final year of university eligibility.

Fry has started at right tackle for the Mustangs for five seasons, including starting as a true freshman.

Here’s the Riders’ rookie camp roster: