‘I’m going to be a starter’: Riders first-round pick Malcolm Bell arrives at camp

Over the past month, Malcolm Bell has needed to have a suitcase nearby, with doors to opportunity opening left and right for the star defensive back.

This week, he got the call to hop on a plane and join the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Saskatoon for training camp.

“You just pack your stuff and get ready to go to Saskatchewan,” Bell said.

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The Montreal, Que. product is back in his home country after officially signing with the Roughriders on Wednesday, with plenty of eyes at Griffiths Stadium locked on the debut of Saskatchewan’s recent first-round draft pick at camp.

Bell was selected ninth overall by the Roughriders last month in the 2025 CFL Draft after a standout senior season with the Michigan State Spartans, where he registered 49 tackles, six pass breakups and one sack.

Speaking with media following his first morning wearing a Saskatchewan jersey, Bell stated unequivocally he’s pushing for a key role on this summer’s roster.

“I’m coming to take somebody’s starting job because why would I be here?” Bell said. “I ain’t here just to have fun. We’re going to have fun, but you only have fun by winning.”

Bell was not targeted during Wednesday’s team scrimmage, though he showed plenty of energy and footwork during is initial drills, according to Roughriders head coach Corey Mace.

“I tried not to make it so obvious instead of just standing right there at his drills, which I ended up doing anyway,” Mace said.

“He is who we thought he was. Now it’s just a matter of getting caught up, as far as the playbook is concerned, so we can get him out there.”

Bell is a latecomer to Saskatchewan training camp after earning an invite to NFL rookie mini-camp with the Cleveland Browns.

It was reported earlier this week the Browns had not extended an invite to Bell for their main training camp, which opened the door to sign his CFL contract with the Roughriders.

“I’m grateful because at the end of the day, I still had an opportunity to play football after this,” Bell said.

“Going to the mini-camp was a great experience, but at the end of the day this is my team and it’s time to put in work for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.”

The 24 year old is one of two Michigan State players battling for jobs at training camp in Saskatoon, alongside kicker Jonathan Kim who competed for the Spartans prior to Bell’s transfer from the University of Connecticut.

“I guess we really do bleed green and white (for) college and pros,” Bell said. “That’s good to see that there’s a lot of people from the Michigan State family with me.”

Bell’s last game played with Canadian rules was back in 2018 while in grade 11 with the Clarkson Football North program in Mississauga, Ont.

Mace said it will take some time for the cornerback to re-adjust to the Canadian game after eight years away and is eager for that work to eventually pay off.

“He’s been down south for the last handful of years,” Mace said. “He’s getting re-acclimated to what’s going on up here, but he’s a heck of a player. That’s the whole point – bring as many good players in as we can.”

The Roughriders have the option of bringing back their entire Grey Cup-winning secondary in Tevaughn Campbell, Rolan Milligan Jr., Marcus Sayles, DaMarcus Fields and Nelson Lokombo this season.

While Bell praised the group for the experience they’re sharing with him, he’s confident one day he’ll be taking primary snaps in the CFL.

Potentially sooner, rather than later.

“That’s going to be the goal, trying to be an impact player,” Bell said.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s Week 1, Week 4, eventually I’m going to be a starter. I’m not saying I’ll be a starter from the jump, but eventually I’m going to be a starter.”

Riders training camp notes

Wednesday morning was cut-down day for the Roughriders to get down to a 75-player roster, minus non-counters like draft picks and territorial juniors.

Saskatchewan made 11 cuts in running back Darrell Henderson Jr., offensive lineman Dayton Black, offensive lineman Yoesph Carter, defensive lineman Thor Griffith, kicker Michael Hughes, wide receiver Ali Jennings III, linebacker Demouy Kennedy, defensive back Nafees Lyon, quarterback Jordan McCloud, wide receiver Juwann Winfree and defensive lineman Sylvain Yondjouen.

“Just tough the way that our league is set up currently and just having to make those cuts so early,” Mace said.

“It has to be done and we feel obviously really good about the guys that are here moving forward now.”

According to Mace, the release of Henderson Jr. was primarily made with his other running backs in camp having more experience with the Canadian game compared to the Super Bowl LVI champion.

The Roughriders made a handful of other transactions Wednesday, activating national running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon from the veteran injured list and kicker Alex Hale from the retired list.

In a corresponding move, Saskatchewan placed defensive back Jerry Jacobs on the retired list on Wednesday.

As for Campbell, he likely will not be on the field for the Roughriders until closer to the weekend as he tends to a “personal matter,” while James Burgess Jr. took his place Wednesday with the defensive backs.

The Roughriders held a condensed practice, which lasted just over an hour and a half in length, with Kim converting on a 58-yard field goal attempt during a special teams drill.

Mace confirmed the shortened practice was held to give players an opportunity to focus on recovery, weight training and video sessions Wednesday.