Riders’ Mario Alford hopeful to keep wheels turning in 2024

Mario Alford can’t wait for training camp to end so he can unleash his “Super Mario” type powers on the field this season.

“I’m just ready for training camp to be over with so I can get my wheels turning,” said Alford. “June 8th I’ll be ready to roll.”

Ever since he was traded from Montreal to Saskatchewan in 2022, the 32-year-old from Greenville, Ga., has been nothing short of sensational.

Since arriving in Saskatchewan, Alford has had four return touchdowns — two on kickoffs, one on a punt and one on a missed field-goal attempt. His two TDs on kickoff returns tied a CFL single-season record. He also became the fifth player in CFL history and the first Roughrider to complete the “trifecta”, with TD returns off a punt, a kickoff and a missed field goal in a season.

In 2022, Alford had 44 punt returns for 530 yards, 38 kickoff returns for 990 yards and three missed field-goal returns for 129 yards as a member of the Roughriders.

In 2023, Alford followed up his outstanding 2022 season with 51 kickoff returns resulting in 1,181 yards – that ended up being the second most in the entire CFL – only behind B.C. Lions kick returner Terry Williams.

So what makes Alford such a dangerous kick returner?

“My speed, it’s just been natural. I’ve had it since I was young,” he explained. “You really can’t coach someone how to run a ball, where to cut, make a cutback – so it’s just a natural ability and I think that’s what makes me great.”

Alford spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears before moving to the CFL in 2018 and signing with the Toronto Argonauts.

He said he’s always been a good kick returner and thinks the CFL and a larger field has actually helped him become a better at his craft.

“It’s better for me, especially with the five-yard rule. If you’re a guy with speed you’ll love it up here and love this game,” he added.

As training camp progresses, Alford’s work is limited because of the lack of contact but he says that’s not stopping him from getting his reps in.

“Just coming out early, catching extra balls and that’s the main thing,” he said. “Setting up my blocks – when we’re going through kick return and stuff like that and see how the wedges are going to block them – so that’s kind of the main thing I’m doing now.”

Alford’s biggest advice for young players attempting to return kicks at practice is to not dance around too much and just focus on travelling north.

His hard work and domination on the ground led Alford to sign a one-year contract extension with the Green and White this past January. He explained why it was important for him to stay in Saskatchewan.

“The fan base, the community, how the team and organization is ran, (there are) so many incredible things here and I just want to continue to build on that and it’s a great place to be,” Alford said.

It’s not known how much Alford will play in the Riders’ pre-season finale on Saturday afternoon in Edmonton.

The Roughriders plan to have a walkthrough at Griffiths Stadium on Friday morning before hopping on a flight to Edmonton.

The team started off the pre-season with a win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium.

After the Edmonton game the Roughriders will return to Regina and Mosaic Stadium for the remainder of training camp.