Jeremy O’Day signed his two-year contract extension Monday with the Saskatchewan Roughriders…then got right to work signing players for the 2021 C-F-L season.
The G-M inked potential free agent running back William Powell…as well as a pair of 24-year-old imports Thursday, both of whom have had some N-F-L time.
Powell signed a one-year extension after playing for the Riders in 2019…rushing for a 1,093 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was second in the C-F-L in rushing yards and tied for first in touchdowns.
Linebacker DeMarquis Gates is a Mississippi grad who has had stints with Minnesota, Cleveland and Washington. Defensive lineman Markus Jones has seen time with Green Bay and Baltimore after graduating from Angelo State.
That’s nine players signed by O’Day for the Green and White in the last three days! Following are the news releases from the Riders…
DATE: December 17, 2020
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR20-070
RUNNING BACK WILLIAM POWELL STAYING IN GREEN AND WHITE
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American running back William Powell to a one-year contract extension. Powell was eligible to be a free agent February 9.
William Powell (5’8-210lbs) will return for his second season with the Roughriders after a strong 2019 in the backfield.
In his first season as a Rider, Powell made 215 carries for 1,093 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, earning him second in the league in yards and tied for first in touchdowns. He added 296 yards receiving and another two touchdowns.
The 32-year-old back played in all 18 games for the Green and White and was part of a strong ground game that along with quarterback Cody Fajardo rushed for a league best 22 touchdowns.
Throughout his CFL career, Powell has had three 1000+ yard seasons, played in 53 regular season games and registered 715 carries for 3928 yards and 25 touchdowns. He’s also caught 127 receptions for 1,015 yards and six touchdowns. Powell has made three playoff appearances including the East Semi-Final in 2017 and East Final and the Grey Cup with Ottawa in 2018, and the West Final with the Riders in 2019.
He is a two-time East Division All-Star having received nominations in 2017 and 2018 and won a Grey Cup in 2016 as a member of the Redblacks.
DATE: December 17, 2020
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR20-069
RIDERS ADD TWO ON DEFENCE
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American linebacker DeMarquis Gates and American defensive lineman Markus Jones.
DeMarquis Gates (6’2-226 lbs) joins the Roughriders after a stellar college career, and a young pro career that has spanned three professional leagues. Most recently, Gates was a member of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, but prior to that was a standout player in the XFL and AAF.
Gates played in five games for the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks where he collected 32 tackles – including three for a loss – the fifth most in the league while also earning two sacks, three quarterback hurries, one interception, three pass deflections, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. While with the Memphis Express, the 24-year-old led the AAF with 52 tackles and five forced fumbles through eight games. The undrafted Gates also had NFL stops with the Cleveland Browns (2018) and the Washington Football Team (2019).
Collegiately, Gates was a defensive star at Ole Miss where he led the team in tackles for three straight seasons (2015-2017). As a senior, he started all 12 games at middle linebacker, making 114 tackles (9.5 per game) – good enough for third in the SEC. His 70 solo tackles led the SEC and saw him ranked 13th nationally. Gates also collected two sacks, a fumble recovery and five quarterback hurries. Over four collegiate seasons he amassed 282 total tackles (163 solo), six sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 49 games played.
Markus Jones (6’3-250lbs) comes to the Green and White after stops in the XFL and NFL over the last two years. The 24-year-old defensive lineman played in four preseason NFL games for the Green Bay Packers, earning four tackles, two defended passes – including one that led to an interception – and one fumble recovery. Prior to being picked up by Packers he had signed with the Baltimore Ravens. Most recently, Jones was part of the XFL’s Team 9.
Jones spent five collegiate seasons at Angelo State University. As a senior, he recorded 84 tackles, including 37 tackles for loss – the highest number recorded across all divisions of NCAA football – while also collecting 18 sacks, two blocked kicks and four forced fumbles and winning the Gene Upshaw Award as the best offensive or defensive lineman in Division II football. As a junior he earned All-America honors from the AFCA, D2Football.com and Don Hansen in addition to being named the Lone Star Conference J.V. Sikes Defensive Player of the Year and LSC Defensive Lineman of the Year, a Cliff Harris Award finalist and D2CCA All-Super Region Four Team selection.
