It’s not a head coach signing, but the Saskatchewan Roughriders did ink a trio of import defensive backs Wednesday – Rodney Clemons, Cole Coleman, and Mark Fields II.
Clemons dressed for three games this past season with the Green and White, recording one special teams tackle. He missed six games due to injury and spent a portion of the season on the practice roster. Coleman went unselected in the 2023 N-F-L Draft but signed with Indianapolis shortly thereafter, attending rookie mini-camp with the team before being waived. Fields signed with the Riders in October, though he didn’t dress for any regular season games. Following is the news release from the Roughriders…..
DATE: November 29, 2023
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR23-145
RIDERS ADD TRIO OF AMERICAN DEFENSIVE BACKS
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American defensive backs Rodney Clemons, Cole Coleman, and Mark Fields II.
Clemons (6’0-205) spent the 2023 season with the Green and White, seeing action in three games and recording one special teams tackle.
The 26-year-old initially signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft and spent the season on the practice squad. The Texas native spent a portion of the 2021 season on the Tennessee Titans practice squad.
Clemons played five collegiate seasons (2015-2019) at Southern Methodist University. In 54 games, the former Mustang recorded 275 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, seven interceptions, 34 pass knockdowns, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two blocked kicks. In his senior season in 2019, Clemons led the team with four interceptions to earn Second-Team All-ACC honours.
Coleman (5’10-193) initially signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft and attended rookie camp with the team.
The North Carolina native played five collegiate seasons (2018-22) at Elon University. In 42 games, the 23-year-old logged 281 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, nine pass deflections, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one blocked kick. The former Phoenix earned First-Team All-Coastal Athletic Association honours in 2021 and Second-Team honours in 2020. Following his collegiate career, Coleman ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at his pro day, which would have ranked first among all safeties at the NFL combine.
Fields II (5’10-181) will be back in Green and White after initially signing with the Club in October. Fields II began his professional football career when he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft. Following training camp, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, where he saw action in one regular season game. The North Carolina native split the 2020 season with the Vikings and the Houston Texans, playing in four games and recording two tackles. He spent time with the San Fransisco 49ers in 2021.
Fields II played four collegiate seasons (2016-19) at Clemson University, suiting up in 46 games. The former Tiger recorded 45 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, 12 pass deflections, one interception which he returned for a touchdown. He helped Clemson capture the College Football Playoff National Championship in both the 2016 and 2018 seasons. The 27-year-old logged two pass breakups against Alabama in the 2018 championship game.
