‘Prepared for this opportunity’: Saskatchewan’s Connor Klassen hopes to rediscover local success with hometown Riders

Saskatchewan’s Connor Klassen hopes to rediscover local success with hometown Riders

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have added local product Connor Klassen to their training camp roster, the team announced Tuesday.

Klassen, an offensive lineman, was selected by the B.C. Lions in the fourth round (37th overall) of the 2025 CFL Canadian Draft but missed the 2025 season due to injury. He was cut by the Lions earlier this year.

“It’s definitely nice to be back playing football in Regina, in Saskatchewan, so [welcome home] is the right thing to say,” he told reporters after Tuesday’s practice.

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Klassen is an alumni of the University of Regina Rams and the Regina Thunder.

He says he got the call Monday afternoon that talks were in the works for the Riders to bring him into training camp.

It was a quick turnaround for a new lineman trying to pick up his new playbook.

“Within a couple days I should be able to pick [it] up,” Klassen added.

“This higher level of football schemes, especially offensively, are mostly the same offensive line-wise. It’s just getting used to the terminology and the different calls for different things.”

“If I hang around the vet guys, ask a lot of questions and keep my head in it, within a few days I should be – maybe not quite to their level – but I’ll be up to speed where I can plug and play different positions."

Klassen joins the Roughriders for a second time after initially spending the 2022 season on the practice roster as a territorial junior.

Hailing from Big River, Sask., Klassen spent four seasons with the Thunder (2019-22) and, in his final year, was recognized as the Prairie Football Conference’s Outstanding Lineman and a First-Team CJFL All-Canadian.

He was part of a Thunder offensive line that provided airtight protection for PFC All-Star quarterback Carter Shewchuk and helped the team capture the league championship.

Following his time with the Thunder, Klassen joined the University of Regina Rams, starting at right tackle in all the Rams’ Canada West games in 2023 and 2024, helping the Rams win the Hardy Cup for the first time in more than 20 years.

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Riders head coach Corey Mace says it’s an addition that brings more Canadian depth to the offensive line.

“A Canadian boy, local boy — you can never have too many of those,” he said. “Understanding the player he was when he came out the previous year, he’s got some CFL experience as well.

“Made it really easy that he was a local guy and we could get him in here into practice right away. It’s going to be probably a little bit overwhelming for him, trying to learn everything from scratch but ... I feel very confident he’ll be able to pick it up.”

Going through the experience of his injury and ultimate release has given Klassen a new perspective on his football career.

He said he returned to the Rams to keep his mind football ready if he ever did get another call.

“Being around like-minded people who are passionate about football, want the best thing for you and still work with you – even though I was not practicing – kept my mind engaged,” Klassen explained.

“Being around the right people, I think, has kept me mentally and physically prepared for this opportunity.”

In addition, the club has released American defensive lineman Marcus Haynes.