The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed defensive lineman Nathan Pickering, defensive backs Carson Sombach and Billy Jonas Pernier, and long snapper Reed Hughes on Monday.
Nathan Pickering is six foot four and weighs 305 pounds. The 25-year-old from Mount Olive, Mississippi, signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2024. In 2024, he dealt with an injury and did not play in the preseason. The Seahawks released him on August 23, 2024.
Collegiately, Pickering spent five seasons at Mississippi State (2019-23) with 124 tackles (49 solos, 75 assists), 23.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery in 51 games for the Bulldogs. In 2023, he made a career-high 44 tackles (17 solos, 27 assists), three tackles for loss, two sacks, and one fumble recovery in 12 games.
Carson Sombach is five foot eleven and weighs 195 pounds. A native of Regina, Saskatchewan, Sombach spent six seasons at the University of Regina (2019-25) with 120 tackles (70 solos, 50 assists), two tackles for loss, four interceptions for 161 yards, two touchdowns, 13 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 36 games for the Rams.
In 2025, he was named Second Team U Sports All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star after finishing the season with a career-high 41 tackles (22 solos, 19 assists), half a tackle for loss, two interceptions for 115 yards, one interception, and 10 pass breakups in 10 games. He attended the East-West Bowl in May of 2025. He was named a two-time Academic All-Canadian
Billy Jonas Pernier is five foot eleven and weighs 203 pounds. A native of Ombessa, Cameroun, Pernier spent four seasons at the University of Laval (2022-25) with 65 tackles, 24 tackles on special teams, one tackle for loss, four pass breakups, 28 kickoffs for 629 yards, 14 punt returns for 135 yards, and five missed field goal returns for 114 yards in 30 games for the Rouge et Or. In 2025, he was named the RSEQ Special Teams Player of the Year after finishing the season with 24 tackles, one tackle for loss, two pass breakups, eight kick returns for 152 yards, 14 punt returns for 135 yards, and four missed field goal returns for 102 yards in eight games.
Reed Hughes is six foot two and weighs 228 pounds. A native of Conway, Arkansas, Hughes spent four seasons at Auburn (2022-25) with five tackles (2 solos, 3 assists) in 37 games for the Tigers. In 2025, he made one tackle (1 solo) in 12 games. He also helped kicker Alex McPherson make 20 of 23 field goals (87%) and 35 of 35 in extra points.
