Two Saskatchewan-bred interior offensive lineman will be back with the Roughriders in 2022.
U of S Huskies grad Evan Johnson and Melfort product Logan Ferland signed contract extensions with the Green and White on Monday. Johnson started all 14 regular-season and both playoff games at right guard while Ferland started the first 13 games at left guard before filling in for a resting Dan Clark at centre in the final game of the regular season. A Regina native, Johnson signed as a free agent with the Riders before this past season after being a first round draft pick of Ottawa’s in 2017. Ferland graduated from the Regina Thunder junior program and played the most snaps of any Saskatchewan player in 2021. Following is the news release from the Roughriders…..
DATE: December 27, 2021
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR21-121
RIDERS EXTEND HOMEGROWN OFFENSIVE LINEMEN JOHNSON AND FERLAND
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed National offensive linemen Evan Johnson and Logan Ferland to contract extensions.
Johnson (6’4-290) re-ups with the Green and White after initially signing with the Roughriders in 2021 Free Agency. He played all 14 regular season games and two playoff games at right guard, providing a veteran presence alongside centre Dan Clark.
Prior to signing in Saskatchewan, the Regina-born Johnson played three seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks. He was selected by Ottawa in the first round (9th overall) of the 2017 CFL Draft. Johnson went on to start as a rookie and played 52 regular season games, one playoff game and the 2018 Grey Cup as a Redblack.
Prior to the CFL, Johnson played his collegiate career at the University of Saskatchewan. As a senior he was named a Canada West All-Star and U Sports Second Team All-Canadian, helping the Huskies offence average 32.6 points per game and 434 yards per game.
Ferland (6’4-300) played all 14 regular season games in his rookie season, starting 13 at left guard, before moving to centre for his final start of the regular-season. The Melfort native also started at left guard for the West Semi-Final and West Final. Ferland played the most snaps of any Roughrider player in 2021.
The 24-year-old initially signed with the Roughriders as a territorial junior in 2019 and spent that season on both the Rider practice roster and with the CJFL’s Regina Thunder, He went on to win the Prairie Football Conference’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman award that year. Prior to his final junior football season, Ferland was named a 2018 CFFL All-Canadian and was a unanimous selection to the 2018 PFC All-Star team, having also been named an all-star the previous two seasons.
