Saskatchewan Roughriders' defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. has won the Canadian Football League's Most Outstanding Defensive Player award in 2024.
The 30-year-old beat Montreal Alouettes' linebacker Tyrice Beverette by earning 35 out of 56 votes. He becomes only the second DB ever to win the MODP award, joining Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Jovon Johnson who won in 2011.
Milligan Jr. led the three-down league with eight interceptions, equaled his personal best with 71 defensive tackles and recorded 111 defensive plays to rank fifth in that category. He was a key part in a Riders defence that led the CFL in turnovers with 49.
In addition to his many accomplishments on defence, Milligan Jr. also showed up on special teams, ranking third in the CFL and second on the team with 20 special teams tackles. He made an additional two special teams tackles in the West Final.
Milligan Jr. started at boundary halfback in both Saskatchewan's post-season games, grabbing a game-clinching interception in the West Semi-Final and one pass knockdown plus seven tackles over both playoff games.
He accomplished all of this after returning from a season-ending foot injury suffered in the Roughriders’ fourth game during the 2023 season.
The five-foot-11, 200-pound cover man becomes the third Saskatchewan player to win joining John Chick (2009), Jearald Baylis (1993).
The Toronto Argonauts take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 111th Grey Cup on Sunday. Countdown to Kickoff begins with Dave Thomas, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates at 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. That's when the TSN pre-game show takes over. The CFL championship game starts at 5:30 p.m. with a post-game show to follow on the Co-operators Roughrider Radio Network.
