Roughriders sign seven players, including four draft picks

The Saskatchewan Roughriders started the CFL off-season with a series of transactions Tuesday.

The Roughriders signed seven players, including four of their draft picks.

Linebacker A.J. Allen, whom the Roughriders selected in the fourth round (35th overall) of the 2020 draft, returned to the University of Guelph for his fifth and final U Sports season in 2021. The 6-foot-1, 235-pounder was named an OUA all-star and All-Canadian in 2021.

Offensive lineman Logan Bandy attended training camp with Saskatchewan last season after being selected in the fifth round (38th overall) of the 2021 draft. The 6-foot-5, 285-pounder returned to the University of Calgary to complete his U Sports career, earning Canada West all-star honours at centre.

Defensive lineman Alain Cimankinda spent the 2021 season on the Roughriders’ practice roster. The 6-foot-1, 245-pounder was taken in the fourth round (35th overall) of the 2021 CFL draft out of the University of Guelph.

Defensive back Matt Watson was taken by the Roughriders in the sixth round (53rd overall) in the 2021 draft. The 5-foot-11, 193-pounder played at the University of Windsor last season after transferring from Mount Allison University.

Regina product Nicholas Dheilly re-signed after joining the Roughriders in November.

The 6-foot-3, 226-pound defensive end, whom the Winnipeg Blue Bombers selected in the fifth round (46th overall) of the 2020 draft, played four games with Winnipeg and made one special-teams tackle before being released.

His amateur career included stops with the University of Regina Rams, the BCJFC’s Okanagan Sun and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

Global kicker Henry Nell dressed for three games with the Roughriders last season. The 5-foot-11, 207-pound South African was selected by Saskatchewan in the third round (23rd overall) of the 2021 CFL global draft after stints in the Indoor Football League and National Arena League.

The Roughriders’ other signing was wide receiver Jester Weah, a 6-foot-3, 209-pounder who had NFL stops with the Houston Texans, Washington Football Team and Chicago Bears after a collegiate career at the University of Pittsburgh.