Rookie wide receivers hope to leave their mark at Rider camp

As the gates opened to Griffiths Stadium, and players took the field, the hope that comes with a new season began.

While for fans, the new season is still a couple of weeks away. However, the hope of making the Saskatchewan Roughriders is already with the latest set of Rider rookies.

The Riders have a few talented wide receivers looking to fight for a roster spot.

One of those receivers is Ajou Ajou.

Ajou, who is from Alberta, saw playing time at Clemson and South Florida University in NCAA Division 1.

However, he says the transition back to Canadian football has been easy.

“This is where I started, so it’s muscle memory,” said Ajou. “But, football is football at the end of the day.”

Ajou says he understands there is a lot of competition in the wide receiver pool.

“If I come in (and) learn from the vets (and) see what I got to do and become a better player,” said Ajou. “Just come in and be a sponge (and) soak it all up.”

While green and white are new for a lot of rookies, one rookie is putting on the same colours his dad wore.

That’s D’Sean Mimbs, the Regina product said he never thought he’d be able to wear a Rider jersey.

“It’s honestly weird. I didn’t expect myself coming out here to Regina,” said Mimbs. “All my friends will be able to watch (the) games.”

Mimbs said he’s going to use his knowledge of the game to turn the tide in his favour.

“Everyone sees me as a smaller guy, so route running, big catches (and) doing everything right,” said Mimbs.

Dhel Duncan-Busby, a wide receiver from Bemidji State University said his biggest focus during camp has been learning the Canadian game.

“They have me on the outside, so it almost kind of feels (like the) same thing,” said Duncan-Busby. “The bigger ball is better for me to catch it. It’s almost like catching a basketball. I feel like the transition so far.., has been pretty good.”

In a group of rookies, there were some familiar faces, like Quarterback Trevor Harris but there was also some on the coaching staff.

That’s Head Coach Corey Mace, who said he enjoyed his first day at practice.

“It was cool, there were a couple of times there I didn’t know what the hell to do with myself,” said Mace.

The green and white’s new head coach said he wants to make sure everyone invests in the rookies they have.

“Rookie’s coming in kind of set the floor or foundation of what we’re trying to build,” said Mace. “The more we invest in these rookies, the stronger that floor or foundation is.”

Mace outlined some of the positions that could see some rookies win a roster spot.

“That left tackle position is something we’re going to be looking at,” said Mace. “Defensively there’s going to be some spots open in the backend.”

Rookie camps goes until Friday, then the main camp begins on Sunday in Saskatoon at Griffiths Stadium.