James Letcher Jr. joins Sask. Roughriders after three seasons in Montreal

Speedy receiver and returner James Letcher Jr. is joining the Green and White.

On Tuesday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders announced that Letcher Jr. has signed with the club after spending the past three seasons as a Montreal Allouette. In 2025, Letcher Jr. appeared in nine games for Montreal, returning 39 punts for a total of 428 yards. He also ran back 19 kickoffs for 476 yards and hauled in five receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown.

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“The Kansas City native’s breakout year came in 2024, when he recorded 1,112 yards on 47 kickoff returns and 924 yards and a touchdown on 65 punt returns,” the Saskatchewan Roughriders said in a statement.

“He led the league in combined return yards and earned Montreal’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player nomination. Letcher Jr. also scored a touchdown on a missed field goal return and added three receptions for 17 yards and three rushes for 25 yards on offence.”

In 2023, his rookie season in the CFL, Letcher Jr. appeared in four games, returning 23 punts for a total of 392 yards and a touchdown. He also returned four kickoffs for a total of 92 yards and scored a 125-yard touchdown on a missed field goal return in a season that ended with a Grey Cup victory.

Before going pro, Letcher Jr. attended Washburn University, where he started in 31 games and appeared in 41. He was named an All-American in 2019, 2021 and 2022, and was named MAA Special Teams Player of the Year in both 2021 and 2022.

“He holds several school records as a returner, including first all-time in receptions (228), all-purpose yards (5,623), and kickoff return touchdowns (three),” the Roughriders noted.

“All told, Letcher Jr. posted 228 career receptions for 2,992 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns on offence, while adding 68 kickoff returns for 1,678 yards and three touchdowns, along with 49 punt returns for 611 yards and two touchdowns.”