The Saskatchewan Roughriders released quarterback Michael Hiers, wide receiver Jayden Horace, defensive linemen Kolade Amusan and Octavious Oxendine, linebacker Zachary Philion, and defensive backs Richard Aduboffour and Alfahiym Walcott on Saturday. Saskatchewan also placed kicker Ben Hadley on the retired list.
Michael Hiers is six foot one and weighs 215 pounds. The 25-year-old from Birmingham, Alabama, re-signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on October 16, 2024.
Hiers attended the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie minicamp in 2024. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Hiers on September 17, 2024, and spent a month on the practice squad. The Roughriders released him on October 13, 2024.
Collegiately, Hiers played one season at Murray State in 2019 completing one pass for four yards, and three carries for 19 yards in two games for the Racers. Next, he transferred to Northwest Mississippi Community College (2020-21) completing 306 of 469 passes (65%) for 4,519 yards, 34 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 72 carries for -23 yards, and six touchdowns in 18 games for the Rangers.
He was named First Team All-American by JCGridiron.com, a two-time First Team All-MACCC, All-Mississippi Gridiron MVP, and the co-MACCC Offensive Player of the Year.
Then, Hiers transferred to Samford (2022-23) completing 668 of 903 passes (74%) for 6,600 yards, 54 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 182 carries for 97 yards, six touchdowns, and two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) in 24 games for the Bulldogs.
In 2023, Hiers completed 315 of 442 passes (71%) for 3,056 yards, 18 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 73 carries for -66 yards, and three touchdowns. He helped the Bulldogs win their first SoCon title in school history and reach the FCS playoffs for the first time since 1991.
He was named Second Team All-American by AP, Third Team All-American by STATS, First Team All-Southern Conference, and Second Team All-Southern Conference. Hiers ranked in the top 10 nationally in completion percentage (76.6%/1st), completions per game (27.15/3rd), passing efficiency (165.2/8th), passing touchdowns (36/4th), and passing yards (3,544/6th).
Jayden Horace is six foot one and weighs 180 pounds. A native of Tampa, Florida, Horace signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on April 16, 2025.
Collegiately, Horace played two seasons at Allen University (2021-22) making 83 catches for 1,268 yards, eight touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 16 games for the Yellow Jackets.
Then, he transferred to Fort Hayes State University (2023-24) making 92 catches for 1,283 yards, averaging 13.9 catches per game, 58.3 average yards per catch, and 19 touchdowns in 22 games for the Tigers. In 2023, he made 36 catches for 579 yards, and 11 touchdowns in 11 games.
In 2024, Horace made 56 catches for 704 yards, and eight touchdowns in 11 games. He was named to the All-MIAA Honorable Mention in 2023.
Kolade Amusan is six foot three and weighs 240 pounds. A native of Woodbury, Minnesota, Amusan signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on May 5, 2025.
Collegiately, Amusan started at the University of South Dakota (2017-18) but did not play for the Coyotes. Next, he transferred to Highland Community College in 2019 making 28 tackles (15 solos, 13 assists), five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in six games for the Scotties.
Next, he transferred to Davenport University in 2021 making 18 tackles (10 solos, 8 assists), six tackles for loss, three sacks, and one pass breakup in 10 games for the Panthers.
Then, he transferred to the University of Windsor (2022-24) making 52 tackles (33 solos, 19 assists), 25.5 tackles for loss, 21.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 23 games for the Lancers.
He was named a two-time All-Canadian (2023-24) and two-time OUA All-Star (2023-24). Amusan was also awarded the Olympic Shield as the University of Windsor’s top male athlete in 2023 and participated in the College Gridiron Showcase in 2025.
Octavious Oxendine is six foot one and weighs 318 pounds. A native of Fort Polk, Louisiana, Oxendine signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on April 29, 2025.
Collegiately, Oxendine played five seasons at Kentucky (2020-24) making 78 tackles (38 solos, 40 assists), 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 47 games for the Wildcats. In 2021, he played six games before suffering a knee injury that ended his season.
Before the injury, Oxendine made 15 tackles (6 solos, 9 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. In 2024, he made 20 tackles (10 solos, 10 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and one forced fumble in 12 games.
Zachary Philion is six foot one and weighs 221 pounds. The 26-year-old from Buffalo, New York, re-signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on November 19, 2024.
The Ottawa Redblacks drafted Philion in the seventh round (58th pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft. Philion appeared in two preseason games for the Redblacks recording no stats. After the preseason, he was placed on the practice squad.
The Redblacks released Philion on June 19, 2024. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Philion on August 13, 2024. He appeared in one game for the Roughriders in 2024 recording no stats. The Roughriders released him on August 31, 2024.
Saskatchewan re-signed Philion on September 27, 2024. He appeared in two more games making one tackle on special teams. The Roughriders released him on October 25, 2024. He re-signed with the Roughriders on October 26, 2024. He played two additional games in 2024 making one tackle on special teams. The Roughriders released him again on November 10, 2024.
Collegiately, Philion played one season at New Mexico Military Institute in 2019 making nine tackles (6 solos, 3 assists), one interception, and two pass breakups in eight games for the Broncos.
Then, he transferred to Concordia (2021-23) making 103 tackles (69 solos, 34 assists), 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception for two yards, 10 pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 24 games for the Stingers.
Richard Aduboffour is six foot three and weighs 220 pounds. The 23-year-old from Toronto, Ontario, re-signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on November 22, 2024.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders drafted Aduboffour in the eighth round (68th pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft. In 2024, Aduboffour played two preseason games recording no stats. The Roughriders released him on June 1, 2024. He returned to Western University to finish his collegiate career.
Collegiately, Aduboffour played four seasons at Western University (2021-24) making 71 tackles (41 solos, 30 assists), one tackle for loss, five interceptions for 64 yards, 18 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one kick return in 42 games for the Mustangs.
In 2023, Aduboffour made 23 tackles (12 solos, 11 assists), two interceptions for 20 yards, and nine pass breakups in 11 games. His two interceptions ranked him fifth in the OUA.
In 2024, he made 20 tackles (13 solos, 7 assists), one tackle for loss, half a sack, two interceptions for 44 yards, and three pass breakups in 11 games. He was named Second Team OUA All-Star in 2022, and a two-time First Team OUA All-Star (2023-24).
Alfahiym Walcott is six foot two and weighs 210 pounds. The 25-year-old Wilmington, North Carolina, attended the Buffalo Bills rookie minicamp in 2024. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Walcott on November 14, 2024.
Collegiately, Walcott played one season at Butler Community College in 2019 making 70 tackles (52 solos, 18 assists), three tackles for loss, three interceptions for 30 yards, two forced fumbles, and 14 pass breakups in 13 games for the Grizzlies. Walcott helped Butler go 10-3 and the Grizzlies won the Midwest Classic Bowl over Trinity Valley. He was named an All-Jayhawk Conference Honorable Mention after the season.
Next, Walcott transferred to Baylor (2020-22) making 118 tackles (74 solos, 44 assists), 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, four interceptions for 105 yards, one touchdown, 13 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and one blocked kick in 33 games for the Bears.
In the 2022 Sugar Bowl against Ole Miss, Walcott returned a pick-six 96-yard touchdown which was the second-longest interception return in Baylor history. He was named Second Team All-Big 12 by the Associated Press and Pro Football Focus in 2022.
Then, Walcott transferred to Arkansas in 2023 making 56 tackles (34 solos, 22 assists), half tackle for a loss, five pass breakups, three interceptions for 32 yards, and one touchdown in 12 games for the Razorbacks.
Ben Hadley is six foot two and weighs 190 pounds. The 23-year-old from Halifax, Nova Scotia, signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on November 25, 2024.
Collegiately, Hadley played one season at Queen’s University in 2019 with 16 kickoffs for 868 yards (54.3 AVG) one touchback, made 4 of 7 field goals (57.1%) with a long of 36 yards, punting the ball 36 times for 1,248 yards (34.7 AVG), with a long of 48 yards, eight of them from inside the 20-yard line, and one carry for -5 yards in four games for the Gaels.
Then, he transferred to St. Francis Xavier University (2021-24) making 61 of 74 field goals (82%) with a long of 55 yards, made 71 of 73 extra points, punting the ball 12 times for 430 yards (35.8 AVG), with a long of 50 yards, one carry for 19 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 30 games for the X-Men.
In 2024, Hadley made 25 of 29 field goals (86%) with a long of 55 yards (longest field goal in SFX history), and one tackle (1 solo) in eight games for the X-Men. He was named USports First Team All-Canadian. Hadley was named a three-time AUS Special Teams All-Star, and a two-time X-Men Special Teams player of the year (2023-24).
