Saskatchewan Roughriders secure first-round Global selection, Sylvain Yondjouen
Saskatchewan Roughriders Sign Sylvain Yondjouen, Defensive Lineman from Belgium
Saskatchewan Roughriders have bolstered their defense with the addition of Sylvain Yondjouen, a 25-year-old defensive lineman from Ruisbroek, Belgium. Yondjouen was the sixth overall pick in the 2025 CFL Global Draft[1].
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 260 pounds, Yondjouen spent his collegiate career at Georgia Tech University, where he played 52 games with 13 starts. Over this period, he accumulated 76 defensive tackles, 16 tackles for loss, six sacks, seven pass breakups/deflections, and one forced fumble[2][5].
In his redshirt senior year (2024), Yondjouen led his team with seven quarterback hurries, five pass breakups, and six tackles for loss[2][5]. After going unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft, he attended rookie minicamp with the Carolina Panthers but ultimately signed with the CFL Roughriders[1][2].
The Saskatchewan Roughriders, under head coach Corey Mace, currently boast the best defense in the league in terms of points allowed, rushing yards, and total yardage[1][2]. With the addition of Yondjouen, they aim to maintain their dominance in the upcoming season.
The Roughriders will host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Mosaic Stadium on August 16, with a kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. EDT. The weather forecast in Regina for August 16 is a high of 22 degrees with a mix of sun and cloud[3].
Radio listeners can tune-in on the Ticats Audio Network in Hamilton and 620 CKRM in Regina. The game will be broadcast on TSN, CTV in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally[1][2][4].
| Attribute | Details | |----------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Position | Defensive Lineman | | Height / Weight | 6'4" / 260 lbs | | Born | Ruisbroek, Belgium | | Drafted | 2025 CFL Global Draft, 1st round, 6th overall | | College | Georgia Tech (2019-2024) | | College Career Stats | 76 tackles, 16 TFL, 6 sacks, 7 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble (52 games, 13 starts) | | Senior Year Highlights | Led team with 7 QB hurries, 5 pass breakups, 6 tackles for loss | | 2025 NFL Mini-Camp | Carolina Panthers | | CFL Team | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
No professional CFL playing statistics yet are available since this signing occurred very recently before the 2025 season[1][2][5].
Background
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats had their six-game winning streak snapped by the B.C. Lions in their previous game. On the other hand, the Saskatchewan Roughriders were on a bye in their previous game[1][2][4].
[1] CFL.ca. (2025). Sylvain Yondjouen - Saskatchewan Roughriders. Retrieved from https://www.cfl.ca/player/sylvain-yondjouen/
[2] TSN.ca. (2025). Sylvain Yondjouen Profile. Retrieved from https://www.tsn.ca/player/sylvain-yondjouen/1.1013160
[3] Weather Network. (2025). Regina Weather Forecast. Retrieved from https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/sk/regina/forecast/week
[4] Sportsnet.ca. (2025). Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Retrieved from https://www.sportsnet.ca/cfl/schedules/saskatchewan-roughriders-vs-hamilton-tiger-cats/
[5] Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. (2025). Sylvain Yondjouen. Retrieved from https://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/football/roster/sylvain-yondjouen/31895
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have added a new talent to their roster with Sylvain Yondjouen, who was drafted as a defensive lineman in the 2025 CFL Global Draft. In American football, Yondjouen excelled as a quarterback hurrying specialist and pass breakup leader during his college football career at Georgia Tech University.
