Training camp preview: Running backs/fullbacks

03/05/2024 00:54

OVERVIEW

New Head Coach Corey Mace likes an aggressive, ball-control running game. Hence the addition via free agency of A.J. Ouellette, who was an East Division All-Star with the Toronto Argonauts last season. The training-camp equation will also include fellow American running backs Frankie Hickson, Jerrion Ealy and Kennedy Brooks and Canadian ball-carrier Thomas Bertrand-Hudon. Hickson and Bertrand-Hudon are veterans. Fullbacks Bruno LaBelle, Clint Ratkovich and Morgen Runge will also showcase their talents at Coors Light Riders Training Camp in Saskatoon.

PERSONNEL

CFL Returnees

THOMAS BERTRAND-HUDON (N-#30): 2023 fourth-round draft pick averaged 7.4 yards per carry as a rookie.

FRANKIE HICKSON (A-#20): 5.8 yards per carry over 120 career carries with Roughriders.

BRUNO LaBELLE (N-FB-#87): Saw action in 15 games with 2023 Roughriders.

A.J. OUELLETTE (A-45): Prized free-agent addition rushed for 1,009 yards in 15 games last season.

Newcomers

KENNEDY BROOKS (A): Three-time 1,000-yard rusher with Oklahoma.

JERRION EALY (A): Rushed for 2,235 yards over 33 games at Ole Miss.

CLINT RATKOVICH (A-FB-#25): American fullback excelled as a senior at Northern Illinois.

MORGEN RUNGE (N-FB-#39): Attended Roughriders' training camp in 2023 before returning to University of Alberta.

A—American

N—National

FB—Fullback

FAST FACTS

• Ouellette is poised to become the 10th person to play for the Roughriders after first exceeding 1,000 yards in a season with another team. The first eight: Gerry James (Winnipeg, 1955 and 1957), Jay Washington (Winnipeg, 1976 to 1978); Mike Strickland (B.C., 1976), Robert Mimbs (Winnipeg, 1990 and 1991), Jimmy Edwards (Hamilton, 1976 and 1977), Orville Lee (Ottawa, 1988), Josh Ranek (Ottawa, 2003 to 2005), Jerome Messam (Edmonton, 2011) and William Powell (Ottawa, 2017 and 2018).
• Bertrand-Hudon's first two CFL touchdowns were separated by only 67 seconds when the Roughriders visited B.C. on Sept. 29.
• Brooks averaged seven yards per carry at Oklahoma.
• Ealy was chosen by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 31^st round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.
• LaBelle signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in May of 2021.
• Hickson boasts the Roughriders' longest run at new Mosaic Stadium — a 63-yard TD against Ottawa on July 8, 2022.
• Ratkovich was a good bet to be selected in the 2022 NFL Draft before suffering a torn ACL.
• Runge's one touchdown at the U Sports level was courtesy of a four-yard pass from Brad Launhardt against the host Manitoba Bisons on Nov. 13, 2021.

QUOTABLE

"Everybody wants to be a superhero, right?" — A.J. Ouellette on his Thor persona