Long-time Saskatoon friends realize Riders dream together

It’s not often an athlete gets to pursue the same professional journey as a teammate and friend, but for a pair of football players from Saskatoon, that’s exactly what’s happening.

Last week in the 2025 CFL Draft, the Saskatchewan Roughriders selected University of Saskatchewan Huskies linebacker Seth Hundeby in the fourth-round and receiver Daniel Wiebe in the eighth-round.

The selections made by the Riders marked a wild coincidence of events for the two football players from Saskatoon, according to Wiebe.

“It’s kind of crazy. We first played together at U18 for Team Sask and ended up winning the national championship with that,” Wiebe said.

“Then, I ended up moving to Holy Cross in Grade 11 and played with him there, then we played on the Huskies for a few years together. It’s kind of crazy to keep that going into the pros now and being able to play together here. It’s been really awesome, he’s been a great friend the whole time and it’s great to have him along here.”

Daniel Wiebe in action for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies this past season. October 4, 2024. (Electric Umbrella/Derek Elvin)

Hundeby admitted he’s relied on Wiebe a lot the past week as the two were getting ready to attend rookie camp together.

“It’s been really handy, especially packing. I’d be like, ‘Hey Dan, are you bringing every pair of underwear you have?’ He’s like, ‘Yep, I am.’ So just a little bit of reassurance,” Hundeby joked.

“He’s a great guy. It’s fun to just be on the same journey together.”

To make the two bond even closer together, the Riders decided to make them roommates for rookie camp.

Both Hundeby and Wiebe had no problems with that.

“We were both super excited just spending more time together,” Hundeby said. “We know our way around campus. We both have similar mentalities when it comes to putting in work, staying late. We’ve always been kind of friends.”

After the first day of rookie camp, both Wiebe and Hundeby had smiles on their faces.

For head coach Corey Mace, he said both of them were noticeable in the drills.

“I’ll start with Seth… Out there, he’s one of the most vocal guys already and he’s only had a day and a half in the playbook. He’s out there commanding and that’s awesome to see,” Mace said. “His size and his speed as well were really good to see and he’s working on his long snap, another tool in his tool belt.”

“With Daniel, certainly it showed up even in the special teams drills. Guys are going to return a kick and guys are trying to make sure he doesn’t get outside and quickly find out how quick and how fast he is. (I’m) excited for those guys and encouraged for them,” Mace added.

Both men said they are excited to begin the next chapter of their stories. Hundeby plans to play one more year at the U of S before fully turning pro so he can finish his engineering degree.

News and notes from Day 1 of rookie camp

The first day of rookie camp didn’t bring anything too special, as most players were just trying to get back into their football rhythm and figure out their new surroundings.

Although it was a quieter day, Mace was happy to be back.

“It’s a beautiful feeling – might have been a little too long. Everybody in the organization was waiting for this day and man, what a feeling,” Mace stated.

Mace said there are a couple of things he and the coaches will be looking for as rookie camp progresses.

“We’re looking at everything – details, how they work individual drills – even how they are transitioning from drill to drill,” he said.

“We’ve been trying to set a bar from that standpoint. I just told them there’s always eyes on you, whether we see it in real time or we catch it on film. So, be the professional we ask you to be.”

The Riders resume rookie camp on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon.