Micah Johnson has decided not to test the C-F-L free agent market, opting instead to return to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2024.
The Green and White announced the signing of the import defensive tackle for a second straight season and a fourth in the last five years Monday. Johnson had 27 defensive tackles, five sacks, one fumble recovery and one tackle for loss while suiting up for all 18 games with the Riders in 2023. And, before Monday was done, Saskatchewan announced that import defensive lineman Elijah Ponder will be at Roughriders’ training camp in May. Following are the news releases from the Green and White…..
DATE: February 12, 2024
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR24-024
- 4 MICAH JOHNSON SIGNS EXTENSION FOR 4TH SEASON IN GREEN AND WHITE
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American defensive lineman Micah Johnson to a one-year contract extension.
Johnson (6’2-278) remains in Riderville after suiting up for all 18 games of the 2023 season. Johnson made 27 defensive tackles, five sacks (tied for second on the team), one fumble recovery and one tackle for loss. Johnson was named to the CFL Honour Roll by Pro Football Focus in Week 11.
The disruptive defensive tackle was named an East All-Star in 2022 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He played 16 regular season games notching 24 defensives tackles, five tackles for loss and seven sacks. He made three defensive tackles and one sack in the East Semi-Final. Johnson spent the previous two seasons with the Roughriders putting up strong numbers in 2021 on route to being named a West All-Star. Johnson made eight tackles for loss that season – a league best – while adding two sacks, 19 defensive tackles, one pass knockdown and one fumble recovery. In the 2019 season the Georgia native suited up for 15 games, making 26 defensive tackles and four sacks and was named a West All-Star.
Prior to coming to the Riders, Johnson spent six seasons with the Calgary Stampeders. He made 158 defensive tackles, 41 sacks, two interceptions and six forced fumbles over 81 games.
Johnson is a three-time CFL All-Star (2016-18), a six-time Divisional All-Star (2016-22) and a two-time Grey Cup champion winning with Calgary in 2014 and 2018.
DATE: February 12, 2024
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR24-025
FORMER BEARCAT ELIJAH PONDER JOINS ROUGHRIDERS
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American defensive lineman Elijah Ponder.
Ponder (6’3-265) signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as undrafted free agent following the 2021 NFL Draft and spent the season on the practice roster. The Cincinnati native also spent 2023 with the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons.
Prior to turning pro, Ponder spent five seasons (2016-2020) at the University of Cincinnati, suiting up for 32 games as a Bearcat. He tallied 64 career tackles, including 13 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hurries, five sacks, one pass deflection, and two forced fumbles. He was a two-time All-American Athletic Conference honouree (2019-20) and was invited to participate in the 2021 All-Star Hula Bowl.
