SASKATOON — Jacob Brammer hopes the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ pre-season finale doubles as a starting point for a lengthy and successful CFL career.
“It’s really our last chance to get live reps and prove what we can do,” the 25-year-old offensive lineman said leading up to Saturday’s game against the host Edmonton Elks.
“There’s a lot riding on it, but I try to work hard every day and just improve.”
Brammer, Trevor Reid or Jordan Tucker will be the starting left tackle when the Roughriders return to Edmonton for the June 8 regular-season opener.
On Monday, Reid and Tucker both saw action on the left side in a 25-12 pre-season victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium. Brammer was deployed on the right side, where two-time CFL All-Star Jermarcus Hardrick will be anchored once the regular season begins.
During practice this week, Brammer has also taken turns at left tackle.
“If you cut the tape from the Winnipeg game, he was playing like his hair was on fire,” Head Coach Corey Mace said. “He was playing physical and, certainly, now he’s going to be able to swing a little bit for us and we’ll see what he can do potentially on the left side.”
As part of that process, answers will unfold to some important questions — as outlined by Mace following Thursday’s Coors Light Training Camp workout at Griffiths Stadium.
“Can you handle it and understand the playbook and what happens when you end up having to move spots?” he said. “Can you keep the same intensity level?”
Mace added that Brammer was “excellent” in terms of intensity. Now his adaptability will be tested as he shifts from right to left, as required.
“It’s different, I would say, but as you get a lot of reps at it, it gets easier and easier,” Brammer said.
It should be noted that left tackle is hardly an unfamiliar position for the 6-foot-4, 2301-pounder.
In fact, he was the left tackle in his first NCAA start — as a member of the North Texas Mean Green on Sept. 8, 2018.
The Mean Green’s starting quarterback at the time was Mason Fine, who has been a member of the Roughriders since 2021.
“I played with him for a couple of years at UNT,” Brammer said. “I actually played left tackle with him.
“I can lean on him for whatever I need. If I need help in the playbook, I don’t hesitate to ask him. He’s always helpful.”
After three seasons at the University of North Texas, Brammer spent his senior year (2022) at Vanderbilt University.
With the Commodores, he was on the field for 718 snaps — primarily as the starting right tackle. That season, Vanderbilt allowed only 15 sacks over 12 games, the last of which was on Nov. 26, 2022 against the Tennessee Volunteers.
“Monday was a lot of fun, because I hadn’t really played in a game since ’22,” he said. “I had a couple of rookie mini-camps in the NFL, but I really hadn’t had that live game feel in a while, so it was good to get out there and put the pads back on.
“There was a lot of built-up energy. After that first play, I kind of just let it all go. I felt like I played fast and physical.”
THE AJOU SHOW
Rookie receiver Ajou Ajou is poised to return to his home province after an auspicious debut with the Roughriders.
Ajou caught three passes for 52 yards — including a 38-yard touchdown — on Monday against Winnipeg.
“You can’t be a one-trick pony at the professional level,” Mace said. “I was really happy with him and the game that he had last week, but he’s (moving) a level up this week with potentially more on his plate.
“Consistency is what we’re looking for, so we’ll see what he can do.”
Mace referred to Ajou as a potential CFL Draft “steal” after he excelled in his first game since being chosen in the seventh round on April 30.
Ajou has close ties to three Alberta communities. He was born in Calgary and raised in Brooks before playing some of his high school football in Edmonton.
“It’s back in the city,” Ajou said of Saturday’s game at Commonwealth Stadium, “so it’s going to be nice.”
Ajou played football and basketball for the Edmonton-based Harry Ainlay Titans. He attended Harry Ainlay High School through Grade 11 before moving to Florida and playing at Clearwater Academy International.
While in Grade 10, he set an Alberta provincial high school record in the high jump (2.02 metres). The previous standard was 1.92m.
