Big Red and the REDBLACKS are about to collide.
Red-haired rookie Payton Collins will start at left offensive tackle for the Saskatchewan Roughriders when they play host to Ottawa to begin the 2025 CFL season on Thursday (7 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
“I didn’t expect to call it up in Week 1, but I’ve just got to be ready for whatever,” the 6-foot-7, 301-pounder said on Wednesday. “I’m happy to get a chance to help the team this week.
“I’m excited to see us go out and compete tomorrow.”
Collins, from Eastern Kentucky University, has quickly been elevated to first-team duty due to injuries along the offensive line.
Left guard Jacob Brammer suffered a back injury early in the week. His spot was filled by Trevon Tate, who had been lining up at left tackle. Collins then settled into the left tackle spot.
“Big Red is a really good football player,” Head Coach Corey Mace said. “We were really excited when we had the opportunity to sign him. Certainly, when he came in, he validated our thoughts. He’s an extremely smart, physical football player.
“He’s a hell of a kid, a hell of an athlete and he’s tough, so I feel very confident with him going into the game.”
So does Trevor Harris, whose family spends off-seasons near Collins’ hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
“Clifford the Big Red Dog, we have a lot of faith in him,” the Roughriders’ starting quarterback said. “He has had a tremendous camp.
“There’s no flinching for me up front. I’m very excited about tomorrow. I know those guys (on the offensive line) will do a great job.”
Collins will be flanked by Tate, centre Logan Ferland, right guard Zack Fry and right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick.
The sixth offensive lineman, Daniel Johnson, will dress for a CFL game for the first time, a la Collins.
A year ago, Johnson — who attended Purdue — had to adjust from American to Canadian football and the rule differences. That was also part of Collins’ indoctrination, which began at rookie camp.
“It has definitely been a crazy experience, but I wouldn’t have chosen any different,” he said. “I think this is where I’m supposed to be at in my life right now.
“I’m really happy I chose to come up here and be a part of this organization. Everyone has been great and I think we’ve got something special coming this year.”
The 24-year-old Collins signed with Saskatchewan on May 2nd and, just five days later, took part in his introductory CFL rookie camp workout.
“I’m happy to be able to keep playing the game I love,” he said. “I wasn’t sure there for a little bit after the NFL Draft.
“I’m super excited that Saskatchewan was able to give me an opportunity to keep playing football, because it’s a lot better than going to more school or working and stuff like that.
“Hopefully I can keep doing this for a long time.”
Collins, who earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Eastern Kentucky, is from a well-educated family. His parents, Mark and Amy, are both lawyers.
There is a chance that Mark Collins, a criminal defence attorney, will be able to make the trip to Regina in time for Thursday’s game.
RIDERS ROSTER REVIEW
The Roughriders’ position chart shows 14 — possibly 15 — starters who were also on the No. 1 unit to begin the 2024 season.
The list of 14 consists of Harris, Ferland, Hardrick, receivers Kian Schaffer-Baker, Samuel Emilus and KeeSean Johnson, running back A.J. Ouellette, defensive linemen Malik Carney and Micah Johnson, linebackers Jameer Thurman and C.J. Reavis, and defensive backs Rolan Milligan Jr., Nelson Lokombo and DaMarcus Fields.
Weak-side linebacker C.J. Avery, an opening-day starter in 2024, is listed as a game-time decision for Thursday. He is nursing an ankle injury.
Lokombo, a starting cornerback in Week 1 last season, has been the first-string safety for all subsequent Roughriders games. He moved to safety after returning cornerback Marcus Sayles was signed and quickly activated for Week 2.
Ferland, who opened the 2024 campaign at right guard, is playing centre because of a season-ending knee injury Sean McEwen sustained early in Coors Light Training Camp.
Thursday’s lineup includes 20 — possibly 21 — players who started at least one game for Saskatchewan last season.
Everyone except Collins has started at least once for a CFL team, taking into account a Roughriders roster configuration that includes five receivers.
In situations when a fullback is deployed and temporarily bumps a receiver to the sideline, Morgan Runge would also qualify as a first-time CFLer.
Collins, Johnson, Runge, punter Joe Couch and two defensive linemen — Aaron Patrick and Ali Saad — will make their CFL regular-season debuts on Thursday.
