SASKATOON — Ali Saad’s jersey is torn but barely worn.
“That shows I competed today,” Saad, the fourth overall selection in the 2025 CFL Draft, said on Monday after his first workout with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“That shows the competition that they have here and what they have going on.”
The 6-foot-3, 280-pound defensive lineman was a full — and certainly engaged, as evidenced by the damaged No. 96 sweater — participant in Monday’s Coors Light Training Camp session at Griffiths Stadium, even though his Detroit-to-Toronto-to-Saskatoon airline excursion did not conclude until 10:30 the previous evening.
Upon arrival at the University of Saskatchewan campus, Saad visited with Defensive Line Coach Phillip Daniels for a nocturnal playbook tutorial.
“I was proud of him,” Daniels said. “I asked him, ‘How much do you want to do (on Monday)?’ Right away, he said, ‘Coach, I’m all in. I’m ready to go.’
“I didn’t want him to do too much today but, at the same time, he wanted to go. He was so adamant about going and being out there, so I said, ‘I’m not going to hold you back. We’re going to get you through it.’
“He still learned the playbook. We only put a couple of installs in (beforehand), so he was fine today. I’m proud of the way he came out here today and battled through being tired and being on a flight.”
The torn jersey was a consequence of battle and, to a lineman, a badge of honour.
“There was a bunch of holding and a bunch of double teams and everything,” Saad, who attended the San Francisco 49ers’ rookie mini-camp before signing with Saskatchewan, said with a smile.
“It was a great experience for sure today. I look forward to tomorrow and the rest of the year.”
PLAYS OF THE DAY
Brayden Misseri made the catch of the day, hands down, by putting his hands up to make a leaping catch of a Jake Maier aerial in a 12-on-12, offence-versus-defence duel.
“That was pretty sweet,” Head Coach Corey Mace said.
Misseri, from Western University, signed with Saskatchewan as an undrafted free agent on May 5th. The 6-foot-2, 203-pounder did not drop a pass last season with the Western Mustangs.
Also of note on Monday was an interception by 2024 All-CFLer Marcus Sayles. The 5-foot-8 cornerback soared to make a leaping pick in a skeleton (linemen excluded) drill.
“Sayles is a freak athlete,” Mace marvelled.
Monday’s other pick was returned for a TD by Eddie Heckard in 12-on-12. The rookie defensive back jumped a short route and was off to the races.
Monday’s other highlights:
• The quarterbacks — Maier, Trevor Harris, Jack Coan and Tommy Stevens — were a combined 14-for-18 in 12-on-12 drills. Harris connected with Dohnte Meyers and Kian Schaffer-Baker for deep touchdowns.
• The 14 completions break down as follows: Schaffer-Baker (3), Misseri (2), KeeSean Johnson (2), D’Sean Mimbs (2), Meyers (1), Samuel Emilus (1), A.J. Ouellette (1), Trent Pennix (1), Wayne Ruby Jr. (1).
• Distribution of the 10 handoffs in 12-on-12: Pennix (3), Khalan Laborn (3), Thomas Bertrand-Hudon (2), Ouellette (1), Mario Anderson (1).
• Anderson’s long run elicited applause from the Griffiths gallery. Ouellette’s quickness was evident on his carry.
• Monday’s practice concluded with a scramble up the middle by Harris, who has lightheartedly labelled himself as “Trevor Vick.”
• Pass knockdowns in 12-on-12: One each by Antoine Brooks Jr. and Kosi Onyeka. C.J. Reavis, the All-CFL cover linebacker in 2024, added a knockdown in skeleton (or “skelly,” as it is popularly known). Post-knockdown, Reavis exhorted the crowd to make noise. His request was quickly accommodated.
• Receptions totals from skeleton: Joe Robustelli (4), Johnson (2), Ruby Jr. (2), Schaffer-Baker (2), Dhel Duncan-Busby (2), Trae McCray (2), Tommy Nield (2), Mimbs (1).
• Peak hang times by the punters on Day 2 of main camp: 4.93 seconds (Joe Couch), 4.78 (Bailey Flint), 4.73 (Couch), 4.71 (Flint).
PAD TIME
Tuesday’s workout, which begins at 8:30 a.m., promises to be lively and full of always-appetizing play-of-the-day material.
The players will be padded and in full equipment for the first time this year.
“We’re all geared up for that,” Mace said. “We’re excited. We want to hear what that practice sounds like, but we want to do it smart.”
