"Enhancement:" Bikers fortify domestic skill in the initial two rounds of the CFL Draft, promoting Canadian prowess.
Rewritten Article:
The Saskatchewan Roughriders kicked off the 2025 Canadian Football League (CFL) Draft by bolstering both their offensive and defensive lines with some homegrown talent. Here's a lowdown of their draft choices and a peek at what fans can anticipate from the fresh new faces.
First up was defensive lineman, Ali Saad. The Riders scooped him up with the fourth overall pick in the first round. Saad, a native of Windsor, Ont., but reared in Michigan, couldn't hide his excitement, remarking the opportunity to play professional football as a blessing! He told reporters after the draft, "I'm thrilled to go in the first round. It's an honor, and I didn't expect Saskatchewan to be the one to pick me up."
Saad, out of Bowling Green State University, had a career-best 40 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 13 games last season. He also posted impressive stats like 16 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, and one blocked kick in his last season with the Falcons. Over his college career, Saad tallied 78 defensive tackles, 14 tackles for a loss of 72 yards, six sacks, four forced fumbles, and one blocked kick.
Despite being born in Canada, Saad admitted he hasn't played under CFL rules before. He acknowledged, "I know the CFL is a whole different type of level. I know it's a whole different type of scheme. So I'm just ready to come in and learn something new."
Riders general manager Jeremy O'Day sang Saad's praises, stating, “He’s versatile. Has versatility to play inside and outside. Played both at Bowling Green and is a very productive, physical, playmaker type defensive lineman.”
In the second round, O’Day and his team opted for Western University offensive lineman Erik Anderson with their 13th overall pick. Anderson, a product of London, Ont., is a two-time First Team All-Canadian in U Sports.
O'Day described Anderson, "He's very athletic. Has the ability to play multiple positions and we'll add to the offensive line room to allow us to build through the offensive line for the quarterback. So we're excited about the opportunity."
With these two choices, the Roughriders have fortified crucial positions on their roster, all the while upholding the national ratio. O'Day commented, "We're in a position where we could be flexible with the players we took. Ultimately we decided, as I usually do, to stay with our draft board. And we got those guys ranked really high."
Anderson has landed an invite to a mini-camp with the New York Giants, but O'Day expects him to join the Riders training camp next month.
Meanwhile, the first round of the CFL's Global Draft saw the Riders pick up Sylvain Yondjouen, a defensive lineman from Belgium, with the sixth overall pick. Yondjouen, who spent six collegiate seasons at Georgia Tech University, will add a unique edge to the Riders' defensive line.
The Green and White then selected Australian punter Jesse Mirco with the 15th overall pick. Mirco impressed at Vanderbilt University, where he ranked first in the SEC with an average of 48.0 yards per punt. His outstanding season earned him multiple All-SEC honors and an All-American Honorable Mention.
The first round of the Global Draft brought 11 punters into the CFL, with eight Aussie-born players and two Irish dippers making the cut. The remaining countries represented were Great Britain, Nigeria, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand, Tonga.
Here's a quick rundown of how the CFL's first overall pick shaped up:
- Calgary Stampeders:selected receiver Damien Alford from Montreal and Utah
- Hamilton Tiger-Cats: drafted linebacker Devin Veresuk from Windsor University
- Ottawa Redblacks: picked Keelan White with the third pick
You can find the full list of players drafted here.
Stay tuned for more updates from the 2025 CFL Draft.
- Saad, drafted fourth overall in the first round by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, expressed his excitement about playing professional football and acknowledged his lack of experience with CFL rules.
- Riders general manager Jeremy O'Day praised Saad's versatility and productivity, media reports stated.
- In the second round, the Riders selected Western University offensive lineman Erik Anderson, a two-time First Team All-Canadian in U Sports.
- O'Day described Anderson as athletic and capable of playing multiple positions, adding to the offensive line room to allow for building through the offensive line for the quarterback.
- The first round of the CFL's Global Draft saw the Riders pick Sylvain Yondjouen, a defensive lineman from Belgium, followed by the selection of Australian punter Jesse Mirco, who impressed at Vanderbilt University.
