The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. to a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season. He was already under contract for the 2025 season.
The five-foot-11, 200-pound Milligan Jr. is coming off a standout season that earned him the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player, becoming just the second defensive back in league history to win the award. The Lake Wales, Fla. native was named to the 2024 All-CFL team and was the team’s nominee in three major individual award categories: Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.
The 30-year-old was responsible for 111 defensive plays during the regular season, ranking fifth in the CFL -- first among non-linebackers -- and made a league-leading eight interceptions, the sixth-best season total in Roughriders history. He registered 10 pass deflections, fourth in the CFL, while adding 71 defensive tackles, including two for a loss, in 16 regular-season games. Milligan Jr. started at defensive halfback in both post-season games, making a game-sealing interception in the West Semi-Final and added a pass knockdown and seven tackles over both playoff games.
He ranked third in the CFL and second on his team with 20 special teams tackles and made an additional two special teams tackles in the West Final.
2024 was a comeback season for Milligan Jr. who played just four games with the Riders in 2023 after suffering a foot injury in Week 5. Despite his limited playing time, he tallied 17 defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, two interceptions, two pass knockdowns and two tackles for loss. His breakout season in 2022 saw him record 71 defensive tackles, 11 special teams tackles, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a team-high eight pass knockdowns, fifth in the CFL, over 17 games.
