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Daniel Wiebe was back on familiar ground Wednesday.
The University of Saskatchewan Huskies graduate returned to Griffiths Stadium for the first day of Saskatchewan Roughriders rookie camp – the same field he tore up over five record-breaking Canada West seasons.
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“I love to compete and every day is competition,” Wiebe said. “It’s good to be back, for sure.”
Wiebe was among more than 60 players opening the 2026 season for the Roughriders, as they kicked off three days of camp before Saskatchewan’s veteran players arrive over the weekend.
Head coach Corey Mace was impressed by the effort showcased by those on the field for the first day of rookie camp.
“I thought it was a really good day,” Mace said.
“Smart group of football players, man. We talked about that as a staff last night going through the meeting before we got on the field and then seeing it parlay onto the field today, intelligent group of football players.”
Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver D’Sean Mimbs made his CFL debut last season, registering a reception against the Calgary Stampeders on July 12, 2025. (Scott Roblin/650 CKOM)
Wiebe is pushing to make the jump to the CFL after concluding his Huskies career last fall, leaving as one of the most productive receivers in program history.
The 2025 Canada West Most Valuable Player is still coming to terms with the end of his U Sports career, though getting the opportunity to participate in his second straight CFL camp is helping that transition.
“It honestly hasn’t really clicked in too much,” Wiebe said. “Still in the same clubhouse, same field. A different team of course, but it’s just nice being at home.”
Selected in the eighth round of the 2025 CFL Draft by the Roughriders, Wiebe was a finalist for the Hec Crighton Trophy for the top player in U Sports football with 1,257 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Huskies’ single-season and career receiving touchdowns record-holder, Wiebe is now faced with trying to crack the professional ranks.
“Football is not guaranteed anymore,” Wiebe said. “I got to be ready to play every single day and tomorrow is not guaranteed. At the end of the day, I’m just trying to play football as long as I can.”
Wiebe is one of several top Canada West graduating receivers who are battling for spots this week at rookie camp, alongside former Regina Rams standout D’Sean Mimbs and recent draft pick Shemar McBean from the UBC Thunderbirds.
Following the departure of Mitch Picton, Tommy Nield and Ajou Ajou in the off-season, Mace said there are opportunities for national receivers this year on the roster.
“We’re not afraid to play Canadian receivers,” Mace said. “We believe we got some really good ones, so those guys are going to be in the mix to go try to earn a spot on this team.”
Mimbs is taking part in his third rookie camp after being drafted by his hometown Riders in 2024.
Making his Riders debut last season with his first CFL reception coming in a Week 6 game against the Calgary Stampeders, Mimbs feels more confident heading into this year’s camp with a strong knowledge of the playbook.
“It makes it a lot easier to play at full speed,” Mimbs.
“Being with the team all last year, I know all the plays and every receiver position. It makes it easier to go out and show off my athletic ability.”
The 25-year-old made the most of his off-season as well, following direction from Saskatchewan brass to add some muscle ahead of rookie camp.
Hours in the gym this winter has resulted in 10 extra pounds for Mimbs, which he expects to add a new dimension to his game.
“It was a lot of work,” Mimbs.
“It was a lot more eating than I usually do. Being in and out of the gym every day, running, lifting almost three times a day. The main thing that helps out with my game is being able to block the bigger guys.”
New to the Canadian receiver fold for Saskatchewan is McBean, who was picked in the seventh round of last month’s CFL Draft by the Riders.
McBean has been one of the top pass-catchers in Canada West over the last several seasons, hauling in 792 yards and four touchdowns for the Thunderbirds in 2025.
“Shemar had an outstanding season at UBC last year,” Mace said. “Now it’s just trying to digest a pro playbook to see what that looks like for him.”
A psychology major at UBC with a minor degree in health sciences, McBean is passionate about promoting mental health causes and has taken that toolkit into his chase for professional football.
He said that journey has been challenging and fulfilling, with lessons learned now transferring over to rookie camp.
Shemar McBean is taking part in his first CFL rookie camp after being drafted in the seventh round of the 2026 CFL Draft on April 28, 2026. (Scott Roblin/650 CKOM)
“I’ve been able to reflect on who I am as a person and what I need to be successful as a player,” McBean said.
“I feel like integrating what I’ve learned so far in my time at UBC and applying it to football has helped a lot.”
Despite the all-Canadian trio all pushing for a spot on the opening night roster, the shared background and familiar green and white jersey has made for immediate camaraderie between McBean and his former college rivals.
“We’re all Canadians and we’re going through the same process, in the same position, same place,” McBean said. “So we work together and help each other out.”
According to Mace, it was the defence standing out on Wednesday with defensive backs JuJu Hughes and Seyi Oladipo Jr. registering interceptions while David Gbenda and James Burgess Jr. also had impact plays with pass knockdowns.
“I think the defence walked away with the win today,” Mace said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how the offence responds (Thursday).”
Day 1 rookie camp notes
Ryder Varga is now a Rider.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced the former University of Regina Rams linebacker is back in his home province, signing a two-year deal with the team.
The 6’5″, 225-pound defender was selected by the B.C. Lions in the third round (29th overall) of the 2022 CFL Draft. He played in all 18 games in his rookie season, mostly as a special teams player. In his second season, he registered 73 tackles and a sack. He also brings playoff experience, playing in the postseason with the Lions in 2023 and 2024.
Varga was traded to the Toronto Argonauts in early 2025. He went on to play 13 regular season games for the double blue, recording 10 special teams tackles. He was released on April 29.
He played in 30 games over five seasons (2018-2022) at the U of R, recording a total of 129 tackles, including 21 for a loss, seven sacks and four forced fumbles.
He was named First Team All-Canadian and Canada West’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2022.
Mace also confirmed Dylan Djete, the team’s recent second round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, is recovering from a soft tissue injury and did not take the field Wednesday.
The injury isn’t expected to keep the Levis, Que. receiver out of camp long, according to Mace.
– with files from 980 CJME’s Britton Gray
