Latest news with #defensiveline
National Post
7 hours ago
- Sport
- National Post
Can we assemble a current team of former Roughriders?
Article content Neufeld, a 2010 draft pick who was traded away by Saskatchewan early in his career, has been a three-time CFL all-star over his last 12 seasons in Winnipeg. He would anchor a guard position alongside Bladek, who was drafted by the Roughriders in 2017 and played three seasons before heading East in free agency. Article content Godber, a Rider from 2023-24, would solidify the centre position while Lofton (2023) and Boyko (2021) would serve as the right and left tackles. Szott, who had a short stint on the practice roster in 2023, could serve as the sixth man. Article content Defensive line Article content Willie Jefferson (Winnipeg Blue Bombers), Anthony Lanier II (Toronto Argonauts), Demarcus Christmas (Toronto Argonauts), Bryan Cox Jr. (Toronto Argonauts), Miles Brown (Calgary Stampeders) Article content Jefferson is another former Rider (2016-18) who has gone on to excel with the Bombers. The six-time CFL all-star would be joined on the defensive line with three players who left in free agency last year in Lanier, who was a Rider from 2021-24, Cox (2023-24) and Brown (2022-24). Christmas (2022-23) would be in the rotation as well. Article content Article content Darnell Sankey (Montreal Alouettes), Cameron Judge (Toronto Argonauts), Derrick Moncrief (Calgary Stampeders), Micah Teitz (Calgary Stampeders), Gary Johnson Jr. (Calgary Stampeders), Alexandre Gagne (Montreal Alouettes), Adam Auclair (B.C. Lions), Brian Harelimana (Toronto Argonauts), Stephen Smith (Toronto Argonauts) Article content Sankey was outstanding in 2022 with the Green and White as he had 120 tackles. After an XFL stint, Sankey has been continued to be an elite defender with the Alouettes for the past three seasons. Article content Judge is another Riders first-round draft pick who is currently playing elsewhere. After being the second overall pick in 2017, Judge was the West Division's top Canadian in 2019 before leaving Saskatchewan for Toronto in 2021. While he played for Calgary from 2022-24, he's back with the Argonauts this year. Teitz, who played for the Riders from 2018-23, and Auclair (2024) would offer solid Canadian depth. Article content Rounding out the linebacking corps would be Moncrief, an all-star in 2019 who played for the Riders for parts of five seasons (2017-19, 22-23) while Johnson (2019-22) played plenty of special teams during his time with the Riders as did Gagne (2017-19) and Harelimana (2023). Smith, a Regina Thunder product who spent time on the practice roster with Saskatchewan last year, got his first taste of CFL action this season in Toronto. Article content Article content Article content Damon Webb (Calgary Stampeders), Deontai Williams (B.C. Lions), Amari Henderson (Ottawa Redblacks), C.J. Coldon (Ottawa Redblacks), Jalon Edwards-Cooper (B.C. Lions), Godfrey Onyeka (Calgary Stampeders) Article content And in the defensive backfield, some recent Roughrider castoffs including Williams (2023-24) and Henderson (2022-24) would be in the mix alongside Webb (2020-22), who was a CFL all-star in 2024 after being cut by the Riders in 2022. Article content While Onyeka (2021-24) could play safety, Coldon, a 2024 training camp cut who is now a starting cornerback for the Redblacks, would be joined by Edwards-Cooper, who signed with the Riders in free agency in 2024 before failing his physical and being released. Article content
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Talented Four-Star Defensive Lineman Drops Mizzou for Miami
Talented Four-Star Defensive Lineman Drops Mizzou for Miami originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A week after taking an official visit to Columbia, Mo., one of the most talented defensive lineman for the Class of 2026 is taking his talents elsewhere. Advertisement Anthony Kennedy Jr., a 6-foot-3, 334-pound product out of Little Rock, Arkansas committed to the Miami Hurricanes on Friday. Highly coveted by Missouri, Kennedy Jr. originally committed to the Tigers in December 2024, but reopened his search last month after veteran defensive line coach Al Davis resigned citing personal reasons. Kennedy Jr. was one of 11 players on an official visit to Mizzou the weekend of June 20-22. Eli Drinkwitz and company have gotten commitments from three of those visitors thus far - QB Gavin Sidwar, IOL Khalief Canty and WR Devyon Hill-Lomax. As a junior for Little Rock Central H.S., Kennedy totaled 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, and two forced fumbles in nine games. Anthony's brother, Bryson, a quarterback for the Class of 2029, also holds offers from Mizzou and Miami. Missouri Tigers head coach Eliah Drinkwitz directs his team against the South Carolina GamecocksJeff Blake-Imagn Images Kennedy Jr. is the third notable recruit in the '26 class to choose Miami over Mizzou. Five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, a native of Nixa, Mo. and longtime Mizzou target, chose the Hurricanes over finalists Georgia, Oregon, and Ohio State last month. Four-star edge rusher Asharri Charles, who took an official to Mizzou the weekend of June 6-8, committed to Miami on June 22. Advertisement Mizzou's 2026 recruiting class currently ranks last among SEC schools per 247Sports. Among their seven committed players, linebacker Keenan Harris is the only one on the defensive side of the ball. Related: Mizzou Football's Top 25 Games Since 2000: No. 20-16 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
No. 1 DL recruit James Johnson predicted to commit to SEC program
Georgia has been hot on the recruiting trail in the last few days of June and now it seems they have another chance to secure another commitment. The nation's No. 1 ranked defensive lineman James Johnson has received a prediction to commit to Georgia, per On3's Chad Simmons and Steve Wiltfong. 'The best parts were spending time with the coaches and players on the team, I'd say they have so much success because of how they work and how good of a coach Kirby Smart along with Coach Scott coaching the d-line and developing great players.' Johnson told On3 (Subscription needed). Advertisement Johnson took his official visit to Georgia back on May 30. He has taken three visits since. He was at Miami on June 6 and then Florida on June 13. Texas got the last crack at him on June 20 to complete his official visits. Johnson is set to commit on June 28 with those four schools being his options. Miami is Georgia's biggest competitor as they are for multiple recruits with likes of four-star running back Derrek Cooper and swaying away four-star wide receiver Vance Spafford from Georgia's recruiting class. Johnson plays high school football for Northwestern High School in Miami, Florida. Miami Northwestern is an NFL producing powerhouse. It previously produced Georgia defensive backs Divaad Wilson (who transferred to UCF) and Deandre Baker. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound defensive lineman is the No. 47 recruit in the class of 2026. Johnson is the No. 6 ranked recruit in Florida. This will be a huge commitment decision. Georgia is always trying to land the best defensive line recruits. If James Johnson and Seven Cloud could team up with Georgia freshman Elijah Griffin, then Georgia's future rotation of defensive lineman would create havoc for quarterbacks and offensive linemen. This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Georgia football predicted to land nation's top defensive line recruit
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nation's No. 1 DL Posts Two-Word Message After Official Texas Visit
Nation's No. 1 DL Posts Two-Word Message After Official Texas Visit originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Led by coach Steve Sarkisian, the Texas Longhorns continue their quest to land some of the most talented high school recruits. Advertisement Texas has received 15 commitments from the Class of 2026 for a group that On3 ranks No. 5 in the SEC and No. 13 in the nation. But they aren't done yet. Last weekend, Texas hosted highly touted prospects for official visits, including defensive lineman James Johnson out of Cape Coral, Florida. On Wednesday, Johnson commemorated his time in Austin with a social media post featuring Sarkisian and defensive line coach Kenny Baker with the caption "Hook em @CoachSark @CoachK_Baker." On3 ranks him as a four-star recruit, the No. 1 defensive lineman, the No. 3 player in Florida and the No. 15 player in the nation. Advertisement Johnson proved to be a valuable asset for North Fort Myers, appearing in 17 games, with 111 tackles, 42 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 18 hurries and three forced fumbles in the past two seasons. His commitment decision is nearing as well, with On3's Hayes Fawcett reporting that it will be made Saturday, as the defensive lineman chooses among Texas, the Georgia Bulldogs, the Florida Gators and the Miami Hurricanes. Steve Sarkisian and Texas continue to recruit highly touted prospects for official visits, including defensive lineman James Johnson out of Cape Coral, Florida.© Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images As of now, though, On3 gives the Bulldogs an 88.9% chance to land Johnson's commitment. Related: Alabama Receives Clear Message From Nation's No. 2 WR After Official Visit This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nation's No. 7 defensive lineman announces commitment date
Four-star defensive lineman PJ Dean announced that he will make his college decision on Monday, June 30 and choose among Ohio State, Georgia, and South Carolina, according to Hayes Fawcett. Dean is a four-star defensive lineman from the class of 2026. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound defensive lineman plays football for West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, North Carolina. He is ranked as the No. 7 defensive lineman and No. 66 prospect in the nation. Dean is the No. 6 recruit in North Carolina. Advertisement Dean has no more scheduled official visits, but visited South Carolina on May 30, Georgia on June 6, and Ohio State on June 13, so all that's left for him is to announce his commitment at West Forsyth High School. If Dean commits to Georgia, then he will add to the immense defensive line talent in Georgia's class of 2026. Dean would be joined by three-star JUCO recruit Seven Cloud and three-star Norcross recruit Carter Luckie in the defensive tackle room. New four-star edge rusher commit Khamari Brooks and three-star edge rusher Corey Howard could line up alongside him. Dean would be Georgia's highest ranked defensive line commitment. Georgia's current defensive line includes a lot of new faces after the majority of the 2024 group left for the 2025 NFL draft. Junior Christen Miller, the most experienced player in Georgia's defensive line room, will start at defensive end, while sophomore Jordan Hall figures to take the starting nose tackle spot. Junior Gabe Harris looks to be a starting edge rusher, while incoming Army transfer Elo Modozie is projected to start in the Jack linebacker spot alongside them. This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Four-star DL PJ Dean is ready to commit
