Rookie offensive linemen hoping to grab attention before Riders camp

Jobs could be up for grabs when it comes to the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offensive line this season.

“We’re signing as many good offensive linemen as we can,” head coach Craig Dickenson said during rookie camp at Griffiths Stadium. “We’re just letting them play, and hopefully we can find two or three really good ones.”

Last season was one to forget for the offensive line, as the Riders’ quarterbacks were sacked a CFL-high 77 times.

With a potential opportunity available for several rookies, they’re looking forward to having a chance to showcase their talents over the coming weeks at training camp.

Kooper Richardson was lucky last season, when he was able to find his way into the lineup for six games after injuries piled up. He said he thinks last year’s experience could help earn him a permanent spot on the team.

“I think the biggest thing is patience — patience in my sets (and) patience in my hands,” he said Friday, the final day of rookie camp.

“Being able to understand the game for me as an American, it took a while to get used to the game and the yard-off difference and the pace of play, so coming in here knowing what I’ll be able to expect … I feel good going into it.”

Richardson said he was able to have conversations with some of the offensive line veterans before camp started, and thinks the team is ready for a rebound this year.

“We’re all feeling good and feeling refreshed. It’s a new group. It might take a minute to jell, but once we get going we know we can be a dangerous thing,” he explained.

“This is only my second year, but I know in the pros you get a change of group. New faces can bring new opportunities. I’ve had an opportunity to talk to Jerald Hawkins already and pick his brain on a lot of things.”

While Hawkins is listed as a rookie, he isn’t exactly the youngest player on the team. Hawkins is 29 years old and, prior to signing with Saskatchewan in the off-season, spent six seasons in the NFL.

Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 325 pounds, Hawkins played college football at LSU and was selected in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2016 NFL draft.

During the 2017 NFL season, he served as backup left tackle to Pro Bowler Alejandro Villanueva.

But Hawkins’ time in the pros has been impacted by injuries, which ultimately led him to Saskatchewan.

Hawkins said he’s ready to fight for a job, but is also grateful just to be given another chance to play football.

“(The Riders) gave me an opportunity, so I’m taking every chance I get. I’m loving it, honestly,” Hawkins said. “They’re giving me a shot, so I’m taking full advantage of it, taking it day by day and seeing how it goes.”

This rookie camp marked his first time playing Canadian football, but he said he’s watched it before — likely because his cousin, Diontae Spencer, spent three season playing in the league with Toronto and Ottawa.

Zack Fry will be another lineman fighting for a job at camp. He was selected in the second round (16th overall) of the 2022 CFL draft by the Roughriders, but opted to go back to school for another year to finish his degree and play for Western.

He said this week was important, getting him ready for camp so he can hopefully land a spot on the team.

“It’s huge being able to learn the playbook and get your feet under you before the vets come in,” he said. “It’s a completely different speed here with the pros, but I feel like I’m getting back into it.”

Dickenson said he feels the extra year at Western has helped prepare Fry for training camp.

“We felt like he needed to get a little bigger, because we want to have the versatility to play him across the board, and you’ve got to be a big, thick guy to play guard. We wanted him to put a little weight on and he did. It’s good weight,” Dickenson said.

Rookie Camp Day 3

The Riders wrapped up rookie camp on Friday with a fully padded practice.

Throughout the session, coaches focused on one-on-one and 12-on-12 drills, and allowing players to battle.

After the practice, Dickenson told the media what he told the players in their session.

“I told them, ‘Control what you can, and if you can’t control it, try not to sweat it. You’ve done what you’ve needed to. Let the chips fall where they may and if you’re with us after tonight then you’ve got another opportunity to move forward,’ ” Dickenson said. “I just thanked them for their efforts.”

The Riders’ main camp opens Sunday at Griffiths Stadium.