TRAINING CAMP PREVIEW: Proven performers, promising players populate linebacking corps, defensive backfield

Corey Mace offers a succinct summation of Rolan Milligan Jr.

“Agent 0 is Agent 0,” the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Head Coach says of someone who received three of the team’s six individual awards in 2024.

Most notably, Milligan Jr. was recognized as the league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player after pacing the circuit with eight interceptions.

No. 0 on the Roughriders’ roster was also named the Green and White’s Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.

With Milligan Jr. playing a prominent role, the Roughriders fielded a divisional or league All-CFL performer at half the eight starting spots in the secondary or linebacking corps.

Like Milligan Jr., cornerback Marcus Sayles and cover linebacker C.J. Reavis made the league’s dream team. Middle linebacker Jameer Thurman earned West Division honours.

Mace is quick to emphasize, however, that nobody should rest on their laurels once Coors Light Training Camp opens on May 11 in Saskatoon.

“Truthfully, competition is everywhere, even for guys who have been All-Stars,” Mace states. “We all understand what this business is. It’s ‘what have you done for me lately?’

“It’s going to be up to everyone day-to-day in training camp to prove that they deserve to be the one out there, because ultimately it’s our job on this side of the building to make sure that we’re fielding the best team possible.

“If somebody has elevated their game in the off-season and is pushing these guys, that’s incredible competition for us and we’ll always choose what’s best for the team.”

There is plenty of talent from which to choose, as evidenced by the personnel in the linebacking corps and defensive backfield.

Those areas of the team assume the spotlight as Riderville.com continues this series of training camp previews.

Part 1 focused on the quarterbacks, receivers, running backs and fullbacks.

The second instalment concentrated on the trenches — occupied by offensive and defensive linemen.

Today, we bring you a deep dive into the linebackers and defensive backs.

The four-part series wraps up tomorrow with an overview of the special teams, which include many of the players we profile today.

NOTES: (A) denotes American; (N) denotes National … players are listed in numerical order.

LINEBACKERS

#1 C.J. REAVIS (A): All-CFL cover linebacker in 2024.

#6 JAMEER THURMAN (A): Reigning divisional All-CFL middle linebacker.

#28 MELIQUE STRAKER (N): Nine special teams tackles in 10 games last season.

#32 A.J. ALLEN (N): 2024 CFL co-leader in special teams tackles (22).

#35 C.J. AVERY (A): Three key interceptions as a rookie.

#39 BRAXTON HILL (A): Joined practice roster in September.

#43 NICK WIEBE (N): Second-round Draft choice in 2024.

#47 AUBREY MILLER JR. (A): Eight special teams tackles in seven games with Saskatchewan.

#48 JORDAN HERDMAN-REED (N): Eight special teams tackles in 13 games.

#58 JUSTIN HERDMAN-REED (N): Tied for fifth in CFL in special teams tackles (16).

#77 ZACHARY PHILION (N): Dressed for three games after signing with Riders in August.

Mace, who doubles as the Defensive Co-ordinator, likes what he sees from the linebackers as a unit.

“With C.J. Reavis coming back, we’re excited about that,” the West’s reigning Coach of the Year says. “Jameer Thurman had a great year, obviously. C.J. Avery played a lot for us at that Will (weak-side) position and I think with another year of experience in the league and in the system, his trajectory is upward.

“You’ve got guys in the depth spots behind them, like A.J. Allen, Aubrey Miller and Braxton Hill — some really good football players and a lot of guys we have confidence in.

“It’s going to be excellent competition in training camp.”

Rookie camp runs from May 7 to 9 at Griffiths Stadium on the University of Saskatchewan campus. After a one-day intermission, veterans will take the field for main camp.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

#0 ROLAN MILLIGAN JR. (A): CFL’s top defensive player and third-ranked special teams-tackler in 2024.

#8 MARCUS SAYLES (A): Tied career high with four interceptions.

#16 EDDIE HECKARD (A): Five interceptions for Brigham Young in 2023.

#20 KERFALLA EXUME (N): Special teams dynamo was a free-agent addition.

#21 JAXON FORD (N): Roughriders’ second-round draftee in 2023.

#22 DaMARCUS FIELDS (A): Started all 18 regular-season games and both playoff contests as a rookie.

#24 NICARIO HARPER (A): Attending second consecutive Riders training camp.

#25 NELSON LOKOMBO (N): Roughriders’ starting safety since Week 2 of 2024.

#26 TEVAUGHN CAMPBELL (N): National cornerback with CFL and NFL experience.

#27 TYRIQUE McGHEE (A): Spent past two seasons with Winnipeg.

#29 ALFAHIYM WALCOTT (A): Starred in college at Baylor and Arkansas.

#31 KOSI ONYEKA (N): 25 special teams tackles in 27 games as a Roughrider.

#33 ANTOINE BROOKS JR. (A): 46-yard interception-return TD in 2024 pre-season.

#37 ROBERT JAVIER (A): Spent time on practice roster last fall.

#38 JAYDEN DALKE (N): Hard-hitting safety is also impactful on special teams.

#70 RICHARD ADUBOFFOUR (N): Rangy DB back for second camp with Roughriders.

LEON JONES (A): Among Chicago Bears’ final cuts last year.

PHALEN SANFORD (A): Recovered blocked punt and a fumble with Las Vegas in 2024 pre-season.

MARK WEBB (A): Los Angeles Chargers’ seventh-rounder in 2021.

Four starters — Milligan Jr., Sayles, Fields (defensive halfback) and Lokombo (safety) — return in the secondary.

The Roughriders lack an incumbent at one cornerback position, but experience is still abundant.

Former University of Regina Rams standout Tevaughn Campbell was signed as a free agent during the off-season.

Campbell played in the CFL with Calgary (2015), Saskatchewan (2016) and Montreal (2017-18) before beginning a five-year NFL journey.

“This is something that doesn’t usually happen,” Mace marvels. “You’re getting a supreme athlete who happens to be Canadian and who has experience already in the CFL and who has also played at a high level in the NFL. All that is already put together before you get him back here now.

“We’re really excited about having him come into the building and getting comfortable with the system and the guys around him. Obviously, it’s going to come down to him coming in and making plays, which we anticipate that he will.”

There are established playmakers all over the defence, along with prospects who are expected to push for roster spots.

“All the guys we have returning, we hold in high regard,” Mace says. “We’re extremely pleased with those guys and with the depth pieces behind them.

“We have a lot of young guys who are champing at the bit and waiting their turn. We feel confident in their ability as well.”