Friday, Aug. 22Ā ā Practices atĀ 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 23Ā ā Practices atĀ 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 24Ā ā Practices atĀ 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Shutter is a lock to enter the season as the teamās starting quarterback as he enters his second and final year with the Rams. After the Regina-born product of the University of Hawaii on the depth chart is John Kiesman and Noah Picton, who will battle to be Shutterās backup. Kiesman is a second-year pivot who backed up last year and led the Rams to one of their two wins last year with Shutter injured, while Picton redshirted in 2013.
With two-year starter Michael Kiapway not returning, the Rams will have a new look in their running game. Returning fifth-year veteran Dillon Dawson has made his mark on special teams over his career with the Rams and will battle for the starting job at running back, while Jens Johnson also had some carries last year and will get a long look in camp. New to the fold is Simon, who graduated from tiny Harvest City Collegiate in Regina but played football for Thom. Considered one of the top recruits in the province, Simon could become the first Ram to start at running back as a first-year player since Graham Mosiondz in 2005.
Canada West all-star Kolten Solomon graduates, but the Rams still return a group of talented receivers led by Richards, Buch, and Janotta. Richards is considered a top prospect for the 2015 CFL Draft, while Janotta needs just 42 receptions ā he had 44 in both 2012 and 2013 ā to become Canada Westās all-time leader. Also in the mix are wide receivers Andrew Bennett, Catlin Schneider, and Richard Sindani and slotbacks Riley Wilson, Davin Johnston, and Mitchell Picton. If that group of nine returners wasnāt deep enough already, the Rams also add the talented Mitch Thompson after a stellar four-year career with the Regina Thunder.
The offensive line was a question mark heading into last season and it was tested early and often with significant injuries suffered by Nathan Cugnet and Aaron Picton, who had been slated to start at centre and right tackle, respectively. The team already had rookie Lyndon Smith and first-year Ram Jeremy Zver in the starting lineup to begin with, and those two injuries thrust first-year players Matt Degelman and Bryce McKinnon into starting roles as well. The addition of Hoath from the Hilltops and the return of Cugnet and Picton to full strength should mean a much-improved line for the Rams this season.
Stefanovic and Ketchen were two bright spots on the Rams defence last season, as both players earned starting positions despite being in their first and second seasons of eligibility, respectively. Stefanovic led the conference in tackles for loss and earned a Canada West all-star nomination, while Ketchen was second on the team behind Stefanovic with 41Ā½ tackles. Dylan Minshull redshirted last year and rocketed up the depth chart after a sterling spring camp, while McEachern and Nesbitt should see playing time in their first season at the U of R.
Campbell, who enjoyed a breakthrough season not only as a cornerback but also as an electric kick returner, headlines the list of returning defensive backs. Jordy Kibamba and Kahlen Branning will both see plenty of time at the corner opposite Campbell and elsewhere in the backfield, while Justin Edralin and Joey Dwyer will likely see the bulk of playing time at halfback with Patrick MacDonald returning at safety and Mason Rossler or Jeff Propp at dimeback. The staff is anticipating significant contributions from newcomers Ellis and Greene, who should slot in to supplement the nucleus of returners.
The defensive linemen are led by the veteran Perkins, whoās preparing for his fourth season with the Rams and will anchor the interior of the line. The staff expects a vastly increased role for second-year lineman Thomas Lill, with Viena also slated to see significant playing time after playing basketball for the Shoreline Dolphins the last few seasons.
Fabian, who handled placekicking and punting duties for the Calgary Colts for the last five seasons, is expected to step right in for the Rams this season with two years of CIS eligibility remaining. Fabian was named a Prairie Football Conference all-star in four of his five years with the Rams and was also named the leagueās outstanding special teams player last season.
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