Drae McCray, an accomplished sprinter at North Florida Christian School in Tallahassee, Fla., exploded out of the starting blocks with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Playing in his first game of professional football, the 22-year-old CFL rookie demonstrated elite-level acceleration during Saturday’s pre-season clash with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
McCray returned three kickoffs for 110 yards, with the longest gains being 51 and 36. The 51-yarder was the eighth-longest kickoff return by a Roughrider in a pre-season game (see complete list below).
As well, McCray also advanced 46 yards on five punt returns at Princess Auto Stadium.
“It felt good,” McCray said after Monday’s Coors Light Training Camp workout at Mosaic Stadium.
“Some guys had really good blocks. They were doing their job out there.”
At the same time, the former Austin Peay State University and Texas Tech returner/receiver helped his cause by burst out of the starting blocks.
“It validates his tape,” Head Coach Corey Mace said. “He was an explosive returner in college and he was an excellent receiver at two schools.
“I think he showed exactly who he can be in the return game in the pre-season game. It’s just a matter of him fine-tuning his skill sets as a receiver.
“I thought he was getting progressively better throughout camp. He’s just a kid who had a couple of opportunities and he made the best of them.”
How did the opportunity in Saskatchewan materialize?
“Good ol’ Larry Dean, man,” a smiling McCray said, referencing the Roughriders’ Player Personnel Co-ordinator.
“He just hit me up one day and it turned into this. I’m glad to be here.”
The Roughriders’ brass had taken note of McCray’s impressive credentials, such as All-Big 12 Honourable Mention recognition in 2023 and 2024 and a 4.46-second clocking in the 40-yard dash at Texas Tech’s pro day.
The 5-foot-9, 185-pounder was also used as a receiver at Austin Peay and Texas Tech.
In 22 games at Austin Peay, he caught 129 passes for 1,888 yards and 17 touchdowns. He compiled a school-record 1,021 receiving yards in 2022 before transferring universities and moving from Clarksville, Tenn., to Lubbock, Texas.
Saskatchewan announced the signing of McCray on May 3, shortly before rookie camp.
He is part of a special teams equation that also includes fourth-year Roughrider Mario Alford — the Club’s All-Time leader in return touchdowns (eight in three seasons).
“Mario has been great,” McCray said. “On Saturday, he was helping me get lined up and teaching me, ‘If this situation comes, do this and that.’
“He has been a great person to take me under his wing and teach me the nuances of the game. I’m very grateful that he’s here.”
McCray, Alford and their teammates are to return to action in Friday’s pre-season finale against Winnipeg (7 p.m., Mosaic Stadium). Winnipeg is coming off a 15-9 victory.
BIG DAY FOR DRAE
As mentioned earlier, McCray registered the eighth-longest kickoff return by a Roughrider in a pre-season game. Here is a list of the top eight:
115 — Bobby Thompson vs. Hamilton, July 17, 1970 (TD)
100 — Harry Lunn at Hamilton, July 31, 1956 (TD)
100 — Jim Cambridge at Toronto, July 28, 1967 (TD)
100 — Harold Woods at Winnipeg, June 14, 1978 (TD)
96 — Dwight Edwards at B.C., June 22, 1982 (TD)
67 — John Pleasant at Edmonton, July 22, 1970
60 — Jerreth Sterns vs. Winnipeg, May 20, 2024
51 — Drae McCray at Winnipeg, May 24, 2025
HOME SWEET HOME
Monday’s practice was the team’s first at Mosaic Stadium this season. Rookie camp and the first two weeks of main camp were held at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon.
“I think the rookies don’t understand how fortunate we are here to have the community-owned team that we have and a community that cares so much,” quarterback Trevor Harris said.
“It’s more of a reminder for me when we walk in here of what we need to be giving back to the fans and what we need to give back to the community for everything they do for us.”
Harris extended that appreciation as the Roughriders prepare for back-to-back home games. After playing host to Winnipeg on Friday, the Green and White is to welcome the Ottawa REDBLACKS for the June 5th CFL regular-season opener.
However, the most important item on Harris’s agenda isn’t close to that far on the horizon.
“Yesterday, I texted (Offensive Co-ordinator Marc) Mueller and said, ‘I can’t wait for practice tomorrow,’ ” Harris said on Monday. “Today, I feel the same way.
“I can’t wait for meetings to go watch the film, to see how we’re seeing it, to see what our timing looks like, and to see if our feet are married to our timing and our routes and whatnot. Then I’ll be excited for practice tomorrow.
“I think it’s just a life metaphor. We kind of start thinking too far ahead when, really, we just need to focus on being 10 toes down and taking care of our business right where we are. That’s where I’m at right now.”
HIGHLIGHT REEL
Some notes from Monday’s practice:
• Offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick had the biggest carry of the day. He picked up Samuel Emilus and hoisted him on his shoulders after the two-time 1,000-yard receiver caught a touchdown pass from Harris during a red-zone drill.
• On the next play, Harris found KeeSean Johnson in the end zone for another major.
• Monday’s two long TD passes: (1) Harris to Joe Robustelli; (2) Jack Coan to D’Sean Mimbs.
• Cover linebacker Antoine Brooks Jr. registered his regularly scheduled interception. Rare is the day in which he doesn’t make a play on the football.
• Ex-NFLer Aaron Patrick pressured the passer in a 12-on-12 session. Ali Saad, whom the Roughriders selected fourth overall in the 2025 CFL draft, also provided a push.
