Today’s positional preview will look at the offensive line for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
With Trevor Harris fully entrenched as the team’s starting quarterback, the offensive line will likely receive the most scrutiny from the team’s fanbase in 2023 after allowing a league high 77 sacks in 2022.
Saskatchewan added a pair of free agents in Peter Godber and Philip Blake. They also brought in a pair of former NFL Draft Picks, Jerald Hawkins and Jeremiah Poutasi.
Both starting guards from last season, Logan Ferland and Evan Johnson while longtime veteran Dan Clark has not re-signed with the team.
Here is a look at the offensive linemen on the Saskatchewan Roughriders roster.
Offensive Linemen
Peter Godber
The 28-year-old joins the Roughriders after spending the last four seasons in BC. Over the last two seasons, Godber has played in 32 games including playing in 18 games in 2022. The former Rice Owl is expected to assume the starter’s role at centre.
Philip Blake
Another big addition by Saskatchewan in free agency, the 37-year-old brings flexibility to the Roughriders offensive line with the ability to play at tackle or at guard. This will be Blake’s second stint as a member of the Roughriders. (2018-19)
Logan Ferland
Last season’s nominee from the Roughriders as their Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, the Melfort product could find himself in a battle for one of the guard positions after he played 16 games in 2022.
Evan Johnson
Along with Blake and Ferland, Johnson is another Canadian veteran that could be competing for playing time in training camp. The former University of Saskatchewan Huskie is entering his third campaign with the Roughriders after beginning his career with three seasons in Ottawa.
Kooper Richardson
The Sacramento State product started the last five games for Saskatchewan in 2022 and will have a chance to win the starting job. Richardson began last season on the team’s practice roster.
Jerald Hawkins
One of the top recruits during the off-season, the former LSU Tiger was a fourth-round choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016. He would go on to spend time with the Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, and New Orleans Saints before joining the Riders this winter.
Logan Bandy
Saskatchewan’s fifth-round choice in 2021, the former Calgary Dino was pressed into duty when the team lost starting centre Dan Clark to injury. Bandy started 11 games last season at centre.
Andrew Lauderdale
Entering his third season with the Roughriders, Lauderdale started at left tackle last season when the team was without Terran Vaughn.
Eric Lofton
A free agent addition from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The 30-year old has also spent time with the Edmonton Elks and Ottawa REDBLACKS.
Jeremiah Poutasi
Another former NFL Draft pick, the former Utah Ute was taken by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Poutasi also spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams (2017), the Denver Broncos (2017-18), and the Arizona Cardinals (2019). He spent the 2021 season on the Oakland Raiders practice roster.
Diego Alatorre Montoya
Saskatchewan’s third round pick in the 2022 CFL Draft, he dressed in one game for Saskatchewan when the team battled the flu bug on September 30.
Evan Floren
The Roughriders seventh-round selection in last week’s 2023 CFL Draft.
Jordan Tucker
A former North Carolina Tar Heel, the right tackle signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Matthew Derks
A sixth-round pick by the Ottawa REDBLACKS in 2021, he was released by the team after he attended training camp in 2022.
Zack Fry
Saskatchewan’s second-round choice in 2022, the 22-year-old returned to the Western Mustangs last season.
Colton Lamson
Spent five seasons (2017-21) at UC Davis. Primarily played at left tackle during that time.
