A.J. Allen and Trevor Harris among Riders award winners

A.J. Allen has had to grind it out during his CFL career.

The linebacker cut his teeth as a major special-teams contributor and became a starter after C.J. Avery suffered a season-ending injury in the first game of the season.

On Wednesday, the Burlington, Ont. product was unanimously voted the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ most outstanding Canadian.

“It’s incredibly special. I couldn’t really do this without my teammates and my coaches from the d-line all the way to linebackers and DBs. It means so much to me to get the recognition. I think that’s pretty cool,” Allen said. “But again, just trying to go 1-0. We have bigger fish to fry.”

Last season, Allen was tied for the CFL lead with 22 special teams tackles. Heading into the final week of the regular season this year, he is sixth in the league in total tackles with 88 and leads all Canadians in that category.

“It’s been a roller-coaster for sure. I have been here when we were 6-12. That is two tough seasons of disappointment at the end of the day as we didn’t achieve what we wanted to. I think it’s a testament to me personally, the patience I am able to show and things like that,” Allen said. “It’s also a testament to my coaches and the faith they put in me, the trust they put in me and makes the plays I am supposed to. It has been a hell of a journey. It has taken a lot of work, a lot of patience, a lot of friendship and a lot of trust. Just very proud.”

Allen also has 106 total defensive plays, tying him at fifth in the league. He has four sacks three interceptions, three forced fumbles, five pass knockdowns and three tackles for a loss.

Prior to the awards being announced, linebacker Jameer Thurman put out a tweet indicating his support for his fellow linebacker Allen when it came to the awards.

It’s time for the CFL fans and media to give @TheRealAJAllen the respect he deserves. Not only has he been one of the best LBs in the league, he also has been one of the best Canadians. #CFL#MOC #Riders pic.twitter.com/fRjQSSJ6hU

— Jameer Thurman (@jthurm_20) October 22, 2025

“What I meant with the tweet, there was multiple weeks — really months — of them putting out lists of Most Outstanding Canadians and he was never on any of them. I just felt that the respect wasn’t there and I needed to voice my opinion for my guy,” Thurman said.

This season, alongside Allen in the award is B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke. The two of them grew up playing football together.

“I’m proud of him. It’s really cool that we came from the same rec football team back when we were seven, eight, nine years old to get to this point. It’s really cool. I have nothing but respect for Nathan, I am proud of Nathan. That is also a friend,” Allen said. “It is pretty cool to see two Canadian kids doing our dream and is something we talked about way back then. It’s a big reminisce moment, but we can’t reminisce right now. Right now we have to kick his butt.”

The Riders host the Lions on Saturday. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m. The game won’t matter to the Riders in the standings as the team has already clinched the top spot in the CFL West Division. The West Final will be hosted on Nov. 8.

Trevor Harris – Most Outstanding Player

Riders quarterback Trevor Harris was the only other unanimous award winner, being named the team’s Most Outstanding Player.

Harris is third in passing yards (4,437) and fourth in touchdown passes (24) this season.

The 39-year-old quarterback said his award is a team one.

“This is the ultimate team sport. It’s like the turtle on a fence post — if you see a turtle on a fence post, he didn’t get there on his own,” Harris said. “I’m very thankful but if it scored us points this week or in the playoffs, I would like it even more.”

After dealing with serious injuries the past two seasons with the Riders, Harris praised the people who have helped with his rehab.

“I’m not a young guy any more so the fact that we are still playing is a miracle in itself. I was telling someone that my freshman year, I tried to quit football and my mom paid me $50 to play my high school first year,” Harris said. “It was probably a pretty good investment at this point and so it has been fun. I am really thankful and to be sitting here to say I thought I would be here, no but I am really thankful and we’re in a good spot to accomplish what we want to accomplish.”

Jameer Thurman – Most Outstanding Defensive Player

Linebacker Jameer Thurman has 85 defensive tackles, which has him ranked fourth in the CFL. He also has three interceptions, three sacks and one forced fumble and is one of the leaders in the middle that has allowed the fewest points in the league (22.5 per game) and the fewest yards of net offence (339.2 per game). Thurman is tied for eighth in total defensive plays (99).

Thurman’s three interceptions have matched a personal best he established with the Calgary Stampeders back in 2022.

“It does feel good. At the end of the day, I pride myself on just doing my job. The plays are going to come. I make the plays that come my way and some games I don’t get a lot of action but I think that’s more of a respect thing than anything,” Thurman said.

Jermarcus Hardrick – Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman

After suffering a season-ending injury early last season, right tackle Jermarcus Jardrick has bounced back in a big way for the Green and White.

The right tackle is a key part of a team that has allowed the third-fewest sacks in the league (25). Behind Hardrick and the offensive line, the group has allowed running back AJ Ouellette enjoy a banner season that includes 1,179 rushing yards and a team-leading nine touchdowns.

“It almost doesn’t feel real. Just all the work last year… It means a lot. I didn’t do it alone. It’s not an individual award,” Hardrick said. “I definitely haven’t been perfect this year and probably won’t be perfect moving forward, but I am working my hardest and I never plan to mess up.”

Payton Collins – Most Outstanding Rookie

A former Eastern Kentucky Colonel, Payton Collins signed with Saskatchewan in early May and made a big impact in camp.

He was the team’s starting left tackle in Week 1 and went on to start 11 games for the team this season.

“It means a lot. Like I said after practice today, I’m just so glad I up here. The whole group and team has been so great. I had a couple other decisions — before I came up here — I wasn’t sure what I was going to do but there was something about when I made that choice to come up here, it felt right and felt like it was what I was supposed to do,” Collins said.

Nick Wiebe – Most Outstanding Special Teams Player

Nick Wiebe has battled through adversity in his short CFL career. The linebacker suffered a serious leg injury as a member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in the Canada West playoffs that saw him miss the first part of his rookie season. Wiebe would only suit up in one game last year as he suffered another injury in practice.

Now in his first full CFL season, he has a team-high 20 special teams tackles in 16 games which is good for fourth in the league.

“It speaks to the resiliency and the support of the locker room as well. I don’t think I would be here without the support of my family and the guys in the locker room,” Wiebe said. “Just showing me how to play special teams and how to be successful with special teams in this league.”

All Rider awards winners, along with head coach Corey Mace, are now the team nominees for the divisional awards.