Knowing what’s in store for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Nelson Lokombo decided against shopping around.
The 24-year-old defensive back, who was eligible to test the CFL’s free-agent market in February, has signed a one-year contract extension with the Green and White.
“I just felt like it was time to re-sign,” said the former University of Saskatchewan Huskies standout, who was drafted second overall in 2021. “In my head, I already had Saskatchewan favoured from the start.
“I kind of waited to see what was happening with the coaching staff. I had the opportunity to talk to the new coaches and had some good conversations, so that just made it that much easier.
“I talked to my family and we all agreed that it was a great choice and a great opportunity for me to come back for my fourth year.”
The Roughriders’ new staff, led by Head Coach Corey Mace, also includes Joshua Bell, the latter of whom will be Lokombo’s position coach.
Bell spent the previous three seasons coaching with the Toronto Argonauts, for whom Mace was the Defensive Co-ordinator in 2022 and 2023.
“I’m excited to see what Coach Mace has in store for us, with his defensive wisdom,” Lokombo said. “It’s going to be a good time.”
Mace and Bell helped Toronto win a Grey Cup championship in 2022 and tie a league record for regular-season victories (16) in 2023.
“What’s important to me — and from what I’ve seen — is how genuine these coaches have been,” Lokombo said.
“They’ve talked about how they’re ready to take over and change the culture and change the results this year, compared to last year.
“They’re coming from a pretty good program out east. You see how they changed the culture out there. I’m ready to see how it transfers over to Saskatchewan.”
Saskatchewan has become a second home for Lokombo, who is from Abbotsford, B.C.
Before being drafted by the Roughriders, he was a dominant member of the Huskies’ defence. Most notably, he was named U Sports’ top defensive player in 2019 after returning two of his five interceptions for a touchdown.
Then came a two-year hiatus for Lokombo.
First, COVID-19 wiped out the 2020 football season. He joined the Roughriders in 2021, only to suffer a season-ending Achilles tendon injury during a pre-training camp workout.
He made his CFL debut in 2022, when he played in 12 games, and appeared in 11 more contests last season.
“The main goal for me is to be able to play every game this year,” said Lokombo, who has started five games over the past two seasons.
“I want to stay healthy and make an impact wherever I can with the team.”
Time is on his side. He doesn’t turn 25 until March 23.
“I’ve been in the league four years now, which is crazy to think, so I’ve learned a lot,” Lokombo said. “I’m glad that I was able to get in early and learn everything I’ve learned up until this point and still be a young player in the league, which is pretty cool.”
Although Lokombo has encountered some injuries, the determined and successful manner in which he recuperated was certainly noted by Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager Jeremy O’Day and associates.
“It just proves to you that all that work you put in during the off-season doesn’t go unnoticed by the GM and the coaching staff,” Lokombo said.
“They really made a good effort in showing me how much they wanted me back. They made it easy to sign and I’m grateful that I’m able to continue to play football.”
