Larry Dean nominated for CFL awards as Riders’ MOP, defensive player

Two seasons ago, Larry Dean suffered a torn Achilles that ended his 2021 season before it even began.

On Wednesday, Dean was named the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ top player.

Dean, 35, was announced as the Riders’ 2023 nominee for two CFL awards — most outstanding player and most outstanding defensive player.

The middle linebacker anchored the Riders’ defensive unit with 104 tackles in 18 games, the second season in a row in which he recorded at least 100 tackles. Linebacker George White is the only other player to record more than 100 tackles in two seasons as a member of the Riders (105 in 2000, 104 in 2001).

Dean, a product of Tifton, Ga., added two sacks, two interceptions, four pass knockdowns, a forced fumble, and a tackle for a loss to his 2023 stats.

It’s the second season in a row the team’s middle linebacker has been the Riders’ nominee in both categories, with Darnell Sankey earning the honours last season.

Most Outstanding Canadian: Sam Emilus

As one of the Riders’ breakout stars in 2023, receiver Sam Emilus has been nominated as the team’s top Canadian.

The team’s 2022 first-round selection in the CFL draft, Emilus was given the opportunity to crack the starting lineup with slotback Kian Schaffer-Baker — the team’s 2022 nominee for the award — missing the first half of the season after undergoing hip surgery.

Emilus, a 26-year-old from Montreal, was one of two Riders receivers to exceed 1,000 yards (1,097) receiving this season on 70 catches. Slotback Shawn Bane Jr. had 1,104 yards.

Emilus’ six touchdowns led the Riders.

Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Logan Ferland

For the second season in a row, Logan Ferland was nominated as the Riders’ most outstanding offensive lineman.

The Melfort product started all 18 games for the team at right guard – the first time he has played an entire season in his CFL career.

Ferland’s versatility was on display at various parts in the season, such as in Week 3 against Calgary where he was forced to move to left tackle due to an injury. That game marked the first time he had played tackle since he was a member of the PFC’s Regina Thunder.

In the Labour Day Classic, Ferland moved to right tackle due to an injury as well.

Most Outstanding Special Teams and Most Outstanding Rookie: Adam Korsak

The Riders’ Australian punter, Adam Korsak, was nominated for two awards in his first season with the Green and White.

Korsak, the Riders’ first-round selection in the 2023 CFL Global draft, recorded 117 punts (tied for second in the CFL) for 5,609 yards (first) with a 47.9-yard average (first). The Melbourne product also had six singles (tied for second) and nine punts downed inside the 10 (tied for second).

Prior to coming to the Riders, Korsak was named the Ray Guy Award winner as the top punter in the NCAA as a member of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.