A quartet of imports have been added to the Saskatchewan Roughriders off-season roster.
The list includes three defensive linemen…Demetrius Harris, Kelcy Quarles and Cory Thomas…plus defensive back Hamp Cheevers. Following is the news release from the Riders…
DATE: January 29, 2020
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR20-010
RIDERS ADD FOUR TO ROSTER
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed three American defensive linemen including Demetrius Harris, Kelcy Quarles and Cory Thomas. The Club has also signed American defensive back Hamp Cheevers.
SIGNED
- American defensive linemen Demetrius Harris
- American defensive linemen Kelcy Quarles
- American defensive linemen Cory Thomas
- American defensive back Hamp Cheevers
Harris (6’2-248 lbs) comes to the Riders from Fort Valley State University and fresh off winning the 2019 Don Hansen All-Super Region Two Defensive Player of the Year. The talented 23-year-old was also named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year for his 2019 season. Harris led the NCAA Division II in sacks (1.35 per game) and was fifth in tackles for loss (2.0 per game). The Georgia native played in 10 games registering 43 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries including one touchdown.
Quarles (6’4-297 lbs) joins the Club after a period on the Edmonton Eskimos practice roster in 2019. Prior to joining the CFL, he spent time with the NFL’s New York Giants, New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. With the Colts, Quarles played in two games and recorded one sack. The 28-year-old played three collegiate seasons with South Carolina recording 105 tackles, 23.5 tackles for a loss and 13 sacks.
Thomas (6’6-312 lbs) joins the Green and White after spending the 2019 NFL preseason with the Miami Dolphins. The 24-year-old played five collegiate seasons with Mississippi State. Throughout his time as a Bulldog, he saw time in 39 games, including six starts at defensive tackle and finished with 51 total tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, and one forced fumble. The Alabama native was injured during the 2017 season but came back in his senior year to collect a season high-three tackles in a game twice, a career high in sacks and set a career-high in tackles for loss.
Cheevers (5’10-180 lbs) signs with the Riders after a stint in the NFL playing one preseason game with the Falcons and spending time with Raiders and Titans. The Florida native spent four collegiate seasons with Boston College recording 56 tackles, 2.5 for loss, nine interceptions, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a touchdown. During his junior year with the Eagles, Cheevers was named to the All-ACC First team, was the winner of the 80th annual George “Bulger” Lowe Award and was named to New England Football Writers All-New England team.
