Devin Adams excited to join Riders in third CFL season

Devin Adams is looking to be a force for the Saskatchewan Roughriders along the defensive line.

But he played a number of positions before he eventually became a professional defensive tackle.

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“When I was younger and about 150 pounds lighter, I played a little bit of tailback and I played a little bit of guard,” Adams recalled. “Through high school, I went from linebacker to D-line and then after high school, it was strictly defence and punting and kicking.”

So can the 6-foot-1, 285-pounder still punt a ball if he’s called upon?

“You know I can,” he said with a laugh.

The Riders are hoping they never have to use that tool in its arsenal, but Adams could see some playing time along the line for the team. With expected starter Caleb Sanders dealing with an ankle injury, Adams has been with the starting defensive line group throughout much of training camp.

“It’s nothing short of amazing. It’s fun, there’s a lot of support and a lot of love and a lot of running around and a lot of energy. It’s just an amazing place to be,” Adams said.

Sanders has been able to get back onto the field for the final week of camp. He said he rolled his ankle just shortly before main camp started, so it was more of bad timing than a lingering injury.

“Being out here these past couple of days has been really good to just be able to run around and be a part of the team again just being able to do stuff,” Sanders said. “I love the practice, I love being out here. Every rep I don’t get hurts a little bit at a time.”

Adams said it’s good to have Sanders rolling again.

“Now we’re sharing reps and it’s great to play beside him,” Adams said.

The Miramar, Fla., product was a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last season, appearing in 10 games. He recorded nine tackles and two sacks in 2025.

Now, he is suiting up for the Green and White.

“It was just availability, coaches showing a lot of love and I said a good prayer and God was like, ‘Take the chance man, you got it,'” Adams said. “By the grace of God, I’m wearing green.”

The Riders will wrap up training camp on Friday with final cuts expected on Saturday. While Adams has played in CFL games before, he admitted you never know what the final decisions of coaches will be.

“Just keep high hopes, get better every day, do my job and let God take care of the rest,” Adams shared as his plan.

On Thursday, the Riders elected to have a walkthrough day rather than a full practice.

“Just looking at how the camp has been, going through too many overloaded days, I think it’s just wise to slow it down and tax the mental component of it so we can go out and finish the camp strong with a good practice tomorrow,” Mace said. “Had a bunch of guys that were dinged up that are trending to come back to practice tomorrow.

“Thought, let’s get everyone the mental reps before we go out and attack it.”

Saskatchewan will have a Week 1 bye before opening the season on June 13 against the B.C. Lions.