‘Feels like a homecoming:’ Riders return to Saskatoon for rookie camp

It was a return to normalcy Wednesday as the Saskatchewan Roughriders kicked off their 2022 rookie camp.

For the first time since 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic, the team was on the field at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon.

“It kind of feels like homecoming back here. I know the guys are thrilled to be here, the turf is outstanding and the weather is perfect. (You) couldn’t ask for more,” head coach Craig Dickenson said. “It was a good first day and it feels good to be back out here.”

While Dickenson will be keeping an eye on the crop of rookies ahead of main camp — which is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, provided there is some sort of labour peace in the CFL — he’s holding off judgments for now.

“There’s a lot of things being thrown at them and some of the guys will pick them up quicker than others, but the main thing is we just want effort and we want guys that are hustling around and being where they are supposed to be on time,” Dickenson said.

But there was one thing that Dickenson noticed and made note of.

“I was impressed with the overall energy of the group. I can’t point out any players out individually,” Dickenson said.

(Steve Seto/650 CKOM)

Seven of the team’s eight 2022 draft picks were in attendance Wednesday, including the team’s third-round selection. Offensive lineman Diego Alatorre Montoya is just ready to play.

“The level of competition is on another level, but I love it and I’m ready to get to work and improve,” said the UBC product.

When it comes to second-round pick Zack Fry from Western University, he also has a bit of a University of Saskatchewan Huskies connection. He formed a friendship with Huskies O-lineman Noah Zerr at a camp during the off-season.

But Fry knows he plays for the Green and White now and knows better to stick to the Mustangs’ colours; Western beat the Huskies in the 2021 Vanier Cup.

“I don’t want to wear any of my Western stuff around here just in case … But it’s a beautiful campus,” Fry said.

With some of the rookies in the mix trying to crack the roster, there are some with years of football south of the border who attended NFL training camps.

That includes a quarterback who could be Cody Fajardo’s backup.

Jake Dolegala spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins before coming to Saskatchewan. He just wants another opportunity to play the game.

“It’s great. I’ve heard a lot about it, about … the Rider Nation,” Dolegala said. “I’ve got a buddy, (former Roughriders receiver) Naaman Roosevelt, who is a Buffalo kid. He and I would throw in the off-seasons. He texted me as soon as I signed here and he was like, ‘Jake, you’re going to love the fans.’ So I’m excited.”

Rookie camp continues Thursday and ends Friday.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Steve Seto