With the Canadian Football League Draft now out of the way, the off-season is nearing it’s conclusion. Beginning next week, CFL teams will hold their rookie camps followed by the opening of their main camps on Sunday, May 14.
We will be taking a look at the positional situation with the Saskatchewan Roughriders before they begin their main camp in Saskatoon.
Today’s preview will look at the Roughriders kicking situation.
Kickers
Brett Lauther
The team’s kicker since 2018, it would be a major surprise if Lauther is not at the same spot for the green and white when they leave Saskatoon in about a month’s time.
In 2022, Lauther was 82% (41 out of 50) in field goals which is around his career average of 83.2%. He was also matched a career high with a 57 yard field goal.
The Truno, Nova Scotia product will have a chance to in his home province for the second straight season as a part of Touchdown Atlantic. This time, Lauther will be kicking in a familiar surrounding as the neutral site game with the Roughriders and the Toronto Argonauts will be played at Huskie’s Stadium, where the kicker played collegiately.
David Solie
Spending the last three seasons with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, Solie will find himself back at Griffith Stadium this spring, but this time he will be competing for an opportunity to crack the professional ranks. Even if Solie is unable to knock off Lauther from the starting position, he will get an opportunity to showcase his skills during the preseason which could eventually lead to a spot on the practice roster or a look from another CFL team,
With the Huskies in 2022, Solie had 83.33% (25 for 30) in field goals and was a Canada West All-Star.
Punters
Kaare Vedvik
The well travelled punter returns for his third season with Saskatchewan, following several stops in the National Football League.
In his first full season with the green and white, Vedvik ended the campaign with punting average of 44.5 and his longest punt of the season was 78 yards.
Adam Korsak
Saskatchewan’s first pick in the 2023 CFL Global Draft, Korsak was named the Ray Guy winner for the top punter in NCAA. The former Scarlet Knight is the NCAA’s all-time leader in punts (349) and punt yardage (15,318).
Korsak is set to attend the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers minicamps next week before he is scheduled to arrive for the main camp in Saskatoon.
A potential training camp battle between Vedvik and Korsak may not generate major headlines but the punter is crucial in constant battle of field position in football.
Long Snappers
Jorgen Hus
The former University of Regina Ram has been a member of the Roughriders since the 2015 season. During that run with Saskatchewan, Hus has collected 19 special tackles.
