With training camp just over three weeks away, the shuffle of players is on for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. On Friday, the Green and White announced the signing of Australian punter Ben Scruton while releasing Global kicker Wihan Van Der Riet and Canadian running back David Savard. Scruton comes to the Riders after four years at the University of Hawaii. He was the school’s regular punter in his final year, averaging 44.1 yards, after transitioning from being a defensive back and kick cover man on special teams. Following is the official news release from the Roughriders…..

DATE:                        June 18, 2021

RELEASE TIME:       IMMEDIATELY

RELEASE:                 SR21-055

ROUGHRIDERS ADD GLOBAL PUNTER BEN SCRUTON

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed Global punter Ben Scruton.

Scruton (6’1-200lbs) joins the Roughriders after spending four collegiate seasons at the University of Hawaii (2016-2019). A collegiate career special teamer, he began to transition from defensive back and kick coverage to punter in his junior season, eventually becoming a full-time punter in his senior year.

In 2019, the Australian played in 11 games making 20 punts for 884 yards and a 44.1-yard average including five punts of 50 yards or more. He pinned seven punts inside the 20-yard line and recorded a season-long 65 yarder. In 2018, he played 12 games on special teams and tallied 10 punts, averaging 36.5 yards per punt. Scruton played an additional 22 games for the Rainbow Warriors as a defensive back, making eight tackles on defence while contributing primarily in special teams coverage.

The Club has also released the following players:

• National running back David Savard
• Global kicker Wihan van der Riet