Saskatchewan Roughriders receive nine All-CFL nods

The Saskatchewan Roughriders had plenty of great performances throughout the 2024 season en route to a 9-7-1 record and second place in the CFL West Division.

With the Riders back and hosting a playoff game for the first time since 2021, voters have named eight players to the West Division All-CFL team — formerly known as all-stars.

Defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr., who is the team’s nominee for Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Most Outstanding Special Teams player, was named a West All-CFLer at two positions — defensive back and special teams.

Quarterback Trevor Harris, wide receiver Sam Emilus, guard Logan Ferland, defensive tackle Micah Johnson, linebackers Jameer Thurman and C.J. Reavis and defensive back Marcus Sayles were the other Riders’ given the divisional honours.

“Everybody’s situation was different — Trevor still getting the nod despite missing six games speaks for itself I think. I’m incredibly proud of all those guys,” Mace said. “I know it’s kind of coach speak to say everybody works hard but they do. We’ve asked a lot of guys to step up and extremely proud of those guys to get acknowledged for their individual work.”

Milligan Jr. proved he can be one of the top defensive players in the entire league this season. After missing most of last year with a foot injury, the 30-year-old bounced back in a big way in 2024, appearing in 16 games and being responsible for 111 defensive plays this season, ranking fifth in the CFL (and first among non-linebackers). The Lake Wales, Fla., product has made a league-leading eight interceptions (sixth all-time in Rider history) and also registered 10 pass deflections, ranking fourth in the CFL. Milligan Jr. has also made 71 defensives tackles, including two for a loss. This is his first divisional All-CFL nod.

Milligan Jr. is also an impact player on special teams, ranking second in the CFL and on the team with 20 special teams tackles.

Harris, who missed six games due to a knee injury, was efficient and effective when he was on the field, leading the CFL with a 108.4 quarterback efficiency rating. The 38-year-old also set the Riders’ records for single-season completion percentage (72.4). He totalled 3,264 yards and 20 touchdowns. The team went 7-4 with Harris under centre. He was last named a divisional All-Star in 2016.

Emilus recorded his second-straight 1,000-yard campaign this season, finishing with 1,064 yards and five touchdowns on 87 catches. The Montreal product’s yards have him ranked fourth in the CFL. He hit more than 100 yards in two separate games this season, including a 161-yard game in Week 6 in B.C., where he caught two receptions for over 50 yards.

“Seeing all those other guys — great receivers and great players in this league — being a part of that group is special,” Emilus said. “I’m not taking that for granted.”

While Emilus was the Riders’ Most Outstanding Canadian in 2023 and 2024, this is the first time he has been named a divisional All-CFL player.

Ferland, who was the team’s nominee for Most Oustanding Offensive Lineman, proved his versatility this season, starting 11 games at right guard, six at centre and one at right tackle. He also had to switch to left guard for part of a game due to an injury. The Melfort product was one of just two offensive linemen to suit up in all 18 games for the Riders this season (along with left tackle Trevor Reid, the team’s nominee for Most Outstanding Rookie) as injuries ravaged the group. Ferland is the leader of a unit that has allowed just 35 sacks. This is the first time he has been named a divisional All-CFLer. He has been the team’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman nominee for the past three seasons.

After training camp, Sayles was cut by the Lions. He was picked up by the Riders after Week 1 and has been an anchor in the defensive backfield for the team ever since. Over 17 games, Sayles earned 57 defensive tackles and two tackles for a loss. He was a ballhawk, tying his career-high four interceptions, adding on two fumble and 12 pass knockdowns recoveries.

Sayles said he had no doubt he could contribute when he signed in Saskatchewan.

“I felt the energy of what was going on. Coach Mace instilled the type of team that he wants, the type of energy that we will have every single day and it’s a product. We see it every single day,” Sayles said. “Our practices are like that and our games are like that. We went on a little slump but we got back on track  now we’re in the perfect position and we are able to control our own destiny. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

The 30-year-old Sayles was named the league’s top defender across all defensive positions for the month of September by Pro Football Focus after registering 12 defensive tackles and earning two of his four interceptions that month. This is the Manhattan, N.Y. product’s third divisional honour after previously being named a West All-Star in 2019 and 2022, as well as a CFL All-Star in 2022.

Johnson is no stranger to being named a divisional all-star. This is the seventh time he has received the honour (2016-22, 2024), and was a league all-star three times from 2016 to 2018.

“It’s crazy. It’s fun. You put a lot of hard work into it, especially when you’re playing this long,” Johnson said. “It’s cool to get a little recognition. That’s always fun.”

Johnson gave credit to his teammates for the season he was able to put together.

“I think it’s dope how this D-line has stuck together. We had a lot of things going on and we had injuries and we stuck through it. Shoutout to Miles Brown and Caleb Sanders — I know it’s been a couple times I have made plays because of the type of penetration and type of players they are beside me,”Johnson said.

The 36-year-old product of Columbus, Ga., suited up for all 18 games for Saskatchewan and, despite dealing with double and triple teams from opposing players, still logged 28 defensive tackles and a team-high six sacks (tied for third in the league). That total helped the Riders get to 38 sacks, the second most in the CFL (B.C. Lions had 39).

Thurman was one of the top free-agent signings by the Riders this past offseason, and the middle linebacker has delivered. The 29-year-old appeared in 17 games this season, contributing 78 total tackles, three fumble recoveries (tying him for first in the CFL with Reavis), one sack and two interceptions. This is Thurman’s first divisional All-CFL nod.

Reavis earned the starting cover linebacker spot near the end of last season, and 2024 turned into a career year after he was given the nod opening week for the starting spot.

“It means the world. I couldn’t do it without my teammates or my guys,” Reavis said. “Shout out to the whole team — they are like my family.”

He said hard work during the offseason and belief in himself led to this accomplishment.

“This is what I planned on all offseason, this is what I thought about and dreamed about and now it’s here,” Reavis said. “I’m grateful for it.”

The 28-year-old logged an impressive 106 defensive plays. The third-year linebacker also leads the team in defensive tackles (89). The Chester, Va., product had five tackles for a loss, three pass deflections, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. This is Reavis’ first divisional All-CFL nod.

The Riders host the Lions on Saturday in the CFL West semifinal. Kickoff for the game is set for 4:30 p.m.