What was reported Monday through sources close to the team was confirmed Tuesday morning by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The Green and White announced the signing of veteran import defensive lineman Anthony Lanier the Second to a one-year contract extension. The 30-year-old was eligible to become a free agent on February 13. In addition, Saskatchewan announced that import linebacker and Auburn grad Zakoby McClain has signed on and will attend Roughriders’ training camp in May. Following are the news releases from the Riders…..
DATE: January 30, 2024
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR24-016
ANTHONY LANIER II BACK FOR MORE SACKS WITH THE RIDERS
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II to a one-year contract extension.
Lanier II (6’6-285) returns for 2024 after suiting up for 14 games last season. The versatile 30-year-old lined up at both defensive tackle and defensive end, tallying 19 tackles, five sacks, two tackles for loss, one pass knockdown and one fumble recovery. He played 11 games in 2022 earning eight sacks – including three in a dominant performance in Week 4. He also tallied 19 defensive tackles, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Lanier II played 10 games in his rookie CFL season, registering 13 defensive tackles and one sack.
Prior to the Roughriders, he spent five seasons in the NFL, initially signing with the Washington Commanders in 2016. He went onto play 15 career games with Washington, making ten tackles, five sacks, five tackles for a loss, six passes defended, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. In 2018, Lanier II signed with the Los Angeles Chargers where he stayed for two seasons. The 29-year-old also spent portions of 2020 with the Kansas City Chiefs and the New Orleans Saints.
Collegiately, Lanier II played for the Alabama A&M Bulldogs. As a senior in 2015, he made 29 tackles, six tackles for a loss, three sacks, one forced fumble, four quarterback hurries and one pass break-up over eight games. As a junior, he was second on the team in tackles with 54 while adding 18 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick.
DATE: January 30, 2024
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR24-017
RIDERS SIGN AUBURN LINEBACKER ZAKOBY MCCLAIN
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American linebacker Zakoby McClain.
McClain (6’0-230) signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent after the 2022 NFL Draft after an exceptional collegiate career at Auburn (2018-21). The George native played 49 games and tallied 267 defensive tackles, including 19 tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception, nine pass deflections and four forced fumbles.
As a senior, McClain was named All-SEC second team, a Pro Football Focus College all-SEC honorable mention and received an East-West Shrine Game invitation. As a junior – which was also his first season as a starter – he led the SEC and tied for first nationally with 113 tackles. In 2019, his 100-yard pick-6 helped him place third in the SEC for interception return yards, while his three forced fumbles ranked second in the conference.
