It would appear the Saskatchewan Roughriders are set at quarterback for the 2021 C-F-L season.
The Green and White signed James Franklin to a one-year contract extension Tuesday. Franklin signed with the Riders as a free agent before the 2020 season that never happened. He was eligible to be a free agent, again, on February 9th. Franklin is a Missouri grad who joined Edmonton in 2015, then was traded to Toronto for two years. Last week, the Roughriders re-structured the contract of starting pivot Cody Fajardo. Before that, during the Christmas holidays, Saskatchewan signed U-S College quarterback star Mason Fine.
Meanwhile, a Canadian linebacker, who graduated from a small college in the States and has played five years in the C-F-L, has been signed by the Riders. Blair Smith inked a one-year contract with the Green and White after spending the last five years with Edmonton. Following are the news release from the Riders…
DATE: January 12, 2021
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR21-007
RIDERS EXTEND QUARTERBACK JAMES FRANKLIN
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American quarterback James Franklin to a one-year contract extension.
Franklin (6’2 – 235 lbs) will return to the Roughriders for 2021 after signing with the Club during 2020 free agency. He spent the previous two seasons with the Toronto Argonauts where he played 27 games for the Double Blue, throwing 2,836 yards on 187 passes and scoring 11 touchdowns. He added 448 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. As the primary short yardage quarterback in 2018 Franklin scored 14 rushing majors – and led the CFL in that category.
Prior to his trade to Toronto, Franklin spent three seasons in Edmonton – winning the Grey Cup with the team in 2015. Over his time with the Green and Gold Franklin completed 116 passes for 1449 yards including 12 touchdowns and just one interception. He also rushed 18 times for 145 yards and an additional TD.
Franklin attended the University of Missouri for four seasons (2010-2014) playing in 42 games and throwing for 6,962 yards and 51 touchdowns. He rushed for an additional 1,729 yards and 21 touchdowns. In 2011, the Texas native was named MVP of the 2011 Independence Bowl. In 2014, he led the Tigers to a win at the Cotton Bowl.
DATE: January 12, 2021
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR21-006
RIDERS ADD CANADIAN LINEBACKER BLAIR SMITH
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have announced national linebacker Blair Smith has signed a one-year contract.
Smith (6’2-230lbs) joins the Roughriders after spending the last five seasons with the Edmonton Football Team, who selected him in the seventh round (60th overall) of the 2015 CFL Draft. The Mississauga native has been a key contributor on special teams throughout his career making 57 special teams tackles, while adding 16 defensive tackles, one interception and one forced fumble over 59 games. He won the Grey Cup with Edmonton in 2015.
Smith spent the last two seasons of his collegiate career at Angelo State where he made 160 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, six sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three interceptions over 23 games. Prior to Angelo State, he spent one season at New Mexico Military Institute making 48 tackles, one sack and one interception.
