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It didn’t take long for Tevaughn Campbell to feel back at home wearing the green and white on Wednesday.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back said simply doing up a few buttons and laces was enough to have him locked in for a return to the field.
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Campbell has joined the Roughriders for the second week of training camp in Saskatoon after being absent for the opening week of practice and the team’s first pre-season game on Monday in Calgary.
Last week, Saskatchewan head coach Corey Mace said the star defensive back was dealing with a “personal matter” and Campbell did not divulge the reason for his absence when he was asked after practice.
“Just been busy mostly,” Campbell said. “I handled it, came back ready to compete and ready to get back to it.”
Campbell, 32, is coming off the best season of his professional career, which saw him tied for first place in the CFL with six interceptions in 13 games. He was a key part of Saskatchewan’s win in the 112th Grey Cup in November, with a forced fumble late in the fourth quarter.
Mace said Campbell’s impact was immediately noticeable, joking with media after practice about what he saw from the veteran defensive back’s first day of camp.
“He’s out there like a rookie,” Mace joked.
“It’s great to have him back, obviously. The guys are happy to see him. He’s happy to see everybody as well. Yeah, it’s Tevaughn Campbell.”
Named to the 2025 All-CFL team following his breakthrough season, Campbell is expected to anchor a veteran group in 2026 alongside other returning players like Rolan Milligan Jr., DaMarcus Fields, Marcus Sayles and Nelson Lokombo.
Campbell said he was impressed by the group of newcomers to the Roughriders’ organization who are fighting for jobs in the team’s secondary.
“A lot of experienced guys, a lot of young guys, too,” Campbell said. “A lot of dogs, athletes, and it’s exciting, man, just to be around the young boys. Trying to get some energy from them and fly around.”
Campbell said a big part of the team’s success last year came from the trust the Roughriders’ defensive backs have in each other, as well as the autonomy the coaching staff has given to the group.
“We freestyle and we make things happen,” Campbell said. “As long as the guy beside you knows what’s happening, and that goes across the whole field, then you’re good.”
The former University of Regina Rams star made some of the team’s most indelible plays of the 2025 season, but that’s not what stands out in Campbell’s mind entering a new year. Instead, he said it’s the plays that he failed to convert on which he said “haunt” him each day.
“There’s just so many deep-ball plays that I feel like I should have had,” Campbell said.
“(Plays) I maybe got my hand on, but I didn’t pick it. I watch it back and I’ll be like, ‘Man, I should have went with two hands instead of one.’”
Campbell said he’s pushing himself to get a little bit better each time he takes the field ahead of what he hopes will be an even more dominant season for the Riders.
“I’m just such a competitor, and I wouldn’t say a perfectionist, but I chase greatness,” Campbell said. “I want to be as close to greatness as possible, so I’m just not content with being mediocre.”
Training camp notes
The Roughriders returned to Saskatoon after a 20-15 loss to the Calgary Stampeders in their pre-season opener on Monday.
Quarterback Brayden Schager was 10-for-18 on his throws in the second half on Monday, with 139 yards passing and a rushing touchdown to his credit in the loss.
Schager said that while he showed what he can do in his first game action in over a year, there was plenty he wants to clean up in his game moving forward.
“There’s always things you look on film and you want back,” Schager said.
“I’m happy with some of the stuff I was able to put on tape, but I think there’s always room for improvement.”
With the return of Campbell to the field at the national defensive back spot, the Roughriders adjusted their starters at several positions to factor in the Canadian ratio.
Wide receiver Jaylen Johnson ran with the starters on offence for the first time, in the place of former University of Saskatchewan Huskie Daniel Wiebe.
Mace said Johnson’s promotion to starting receiver was based in part on how well-rounded his game has looked at camp.
“He’s been doing amazing things,” Mace said. “The intangibles we look for in receivers, he does all the things that you love as an actual receiver. When it comes to blocking (and) his special teams play, he had a hell of a game playing special teams.”
A change also came on the defensive line on Wednesday, with Jaylen Pate sliding into the starting defensive end position, which was previously held by Desmond Evans.
Pate participated in most drills, alongside CFL veterans Mike Rose, James Vaughters and Devin Adams, while Caleb Sanders has not yet made his on-field debut at camp.
Offensive linemen Zack Fry and Daniel Johnson, meanwhile, did not take part in Wednesday’s practice, though Mace said the pair should be “good to go” for the weekend after getting more clarity on their health.
Wednesday’s practice was also the first day of training camp to be officiated by CFL referees, which Mace said reinforced the details of the game.
“It’s just building the calluses up a little bit for mental toughness, physical toughness and accountability with the refs here,” Mace said.
The Roughriders now turn their focus to the pre-season game on Saturday at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.
