Saskatchewan Roughriders players on the field stretching during training camp on Wednesday. May 22, 2024 (Shane Clausing/650 CKOM)

By CKOM News - Shane Clausing

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Training camp is all about embracing the opportunities presented in front of you and for several members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in their pre-season opener victory on Monday against Winnipeg – that’s exactly what they did.

The Roughriders seventh-round selection in the CFL Draft Ajou Ajou went off in his preseason debut on Monday – registering four catches for 62 yards and one touchdown.

After spending several years playing college football at various schools in the United States, the 22-year-old receiver from Brooks, Alta is hoping his work this training camp can find him a new home in Saskatchewan.

“This is where it all started,” Ajou said when asked if he surprised himself by doing so well given he hasn’t played competitive Canadian football since he was in high school. “It’s muscle memory I guess. I just got to say shoutout to my boy Shea (Patterson) – he saw me and he delivered. It was good.”

Ajou sounded confident and determined when asked if he could find a way to get on this roster.

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“(I) just (have to) keep showing up. If they need me on field goal block, I’ll go out there,” Ajou said. “I’m just trying to make the squad man. Wherever you need me, I’ll learn it and do what ever it is. Just be available. I’m just trying to be a pro.”

He wants to impress head coach Corey Mace, who was the one who brought him to camp.

“I don’t even know how to show how much gratitude I got for him and the GMs in this program,” he explained. “For them to give me a shot and opportunity – it means the world to me – I promise them I ain’t going to hold back.”

Ajou wasn’t the only one impressing the coaching staff and fans on Monday – so too was defensive back Holton Hill, who had four tackles in the Roughriders’ victory over Winnipeg.

“It was a pretty encouraging start,” Hill said after playing his first competitive game since 2020.

He added the message from the coach is to continue getting better every day and for him to play with a chip on his shoulder.

Hill really wants to play professional football and get a job on this Roughriders team.

“It would mean the world,” he said. “I’m just going to continue to come out here everyday with a clear head of steam and play fast and physical.”

When reflecting on Monday’s game, Hill said the tempo that’s been set by everyone at training camp really helped them come out flying against Winnipeg.

“I loved everything I saw. We were quick in all four phases. It gives us a blueprint and outlook of what we need to be striving for in this next preseason game,” Hill explained. “We just gotta tighten up on the reps and we want to get better. We’ve also got the mindset that we are trying to win the Grey Cup and each day better than the previous and each game better than the last.”

The Riders didn’t practice with pads on Wednesday, but will strap them on Thursday in order to prepare for their final pre-season game against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday afternoon.