Milligan was unanimously voted the team’s Most Outstanding Player, Defensive Player and Special Teams Player
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Rolan Milligan Jr. has been named the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Most Outstanding Player for the 2024 CFL season.
The 30-year-old defensive back was also named the team’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player after putting together a remarkable season in green and white. All three selections were unanimous.
“It’s an honour for sure,” said Milligan. “Just being recognized for just putting the work in all year.
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“I think it just kind of validates how I feel about myself. Everybody has that personal thought about who they are as a player and like I said, other people thinking the same thing just lets me know I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do.”
Receiver Samuel Emilus was named the team’s Most Outstanding Canadian for a second straight season while Logan Ferland was unanimously named Saskatchewan’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman for a third straight year. Left tackle Trevor Reid was named the team’s Most Outstanding Rookie.
While the Roughriders (9-7-1) still have one more game in the regular season on Saturday (5 p.m., TSN) when Saskatchewan hosts the Calgary Stampeders at Mosaic Stadium, Milligan has already put together a career year as the team is back into the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
Through 16 games, Milligan has racked up 71 defensive tackles, 20 special teams tackles, 10 pass knockdowns and a league-leading eight interceptions. His 111 total defensive plays rank fourth in the CFL, behind three linebackers.
Milligan is the first Roughriders defensive back since Ken McEachern in 1980 to win the team’s Most Outstanding Player award. Linebacker Jeff Knox Jr. in 2015 was the last Rider to be unanimously voted for three separate team awards. This year also marks the third straight season of a defensive player winning the team’s Most Outstanding Player award following linebacker Larry Dean in 2023 and linebacker Darnell Sankey in 2022.
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As for Emilus, the third-year receiver leads the team with 87 catches for 1,064 yards in 17 games, which is his second straight season hitting the 1,000-yard milestone.
“Anytime you can contribute to the success of the team in a big way, it’s always huge,” said Emilus, 26. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without those guys in the locker room, those coaches and everybody in the organization.”
Ferland has played every game for the Riders this season along the offensive line, starting games at guard, tackle and centre. The 6-foot-5, 306-pound Melfort, Sask. product leads a unit that has given up just 32 sacks, which ranks fourth in the CFL but is tops among all playoff teams.
“I take pride in being ready for every position possible and just doing everything for the team and not myself,” said Ferland, 27. “I really try to do everything in my power to help the team and really build something special here.”
Reid is the only other offensive lineman to play in every game this season for the Riders, as the 6-foot-5, 307-pound American has started every game at left tackle this year. The last offensive lineman to earn the rookie award was Xavier Fulton in 2012.
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“It’s been a long season and I’m just blessed to be here,” said Reid, 24. “It’s a blessing but like I say, the job is not finished until we get to the Grey Cup.”
Milligan, Emilus, Ferland and Reid will now be on the ballot for the West Division awards, which will be announced on Oct. 31 before the league-wide awards will be presented on Nov. 14 during Grey Cup week in Vancouver.
And while the individual awards are nice, for the four finalists from Saskatchewan, being one of the teams in the Grey Cup is what they are really striving for.
“Honestly it doesn’t mean much without a Grey Cup,” said Ferland. “That’s the main thing we’re here for.”
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