The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed a pair of players from the defending Prairie Football Conference champion Regina Thunder.
Offensive lineman Caleb Barajas and linebacker Kenten Effa have been added to the Riders’ practice roster as junior-eligible players. That means that they will remain with the PFC’s Thunder while practicing with the Roughriders.
The six-foot-four, 285-pound Barajas returns to the Green and White having spent time on the Roughriders’ practice roster last September. Barajas, a native of Ventura, California, was a CJFL Second-Team All-Canadian guard last season. Before joining the Thunder, he played at Ventura College and in 2022, he received First-Team All-State honours as a junior college left offensive tackle.
Effa was also a Second-Team All-Canadian in 2024. The six-foot, 215-pound linebacker is entering his fifth season with the Thunder. In 30 PFC regular-season games, the former Yorkton Regional High School Raiders standout has registered 130 defensive tackles (seven for a loss), seven sacks (including five in 2023) and one interception.
Barajas and Effa join Saskatoon Hilltops defensive lineman Johnathon Stevens as junior players on the practice roster. Stevens will remain with the Roughriders until the PFC’s Hilltops begin training camp.
