The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed former Michigan Panthers quarterback Shea Patterson and former Texas A&M defensive back Leon O’Neal Jr. on Monday.
Shea Patterson, a 26-year-old from Toledo, Ohio, played six games for the Michigan Panthers in 2022. The Panthers drafted him with the first overall pick. He played six games and started in five games for the Panthers, completing 96 of 161 passes (59.6 PCT) for 973 yards, four touchdowns, five interceptions, 33 carries for 171 yards, two touchdowns, and was sacked 13 times before the Panthers released him.
He later signed with the New Orleans Breakers, playing one game for the Breakers completing nine of 15 passes (60%) for 36 yards.
Collegiately, Patterson played two seasons at Ole Miss (2016-17) completing 238 of 392 passes (60.7%) for 880 yards, six touchdowns, three interceptions, 88 carries for 153 yards, and one touchdown in ten games. Then, Patterson transferred to Michigan (2018-19). He combined 662-1098 completions for 8,800 yards, 68 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions.
He went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft and tried out for the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2020, he played for the Blues of The Spring League. The Blues went 1-2 in the season. Later, Patterson signed with the BC Lions to their practice squad in June and was released later that month.
Leon O’Neal Jr., a 24-year-old from Cypress, Texas, signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2022. In addition, he played in the 2022 Senior Bowl.
Collegiately, O’Neal Jr. played four seasons at Texas A&M (2018-21) with 161 tackles, one sack, six interceptions, one touchdown, 18 pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 48 games for the Aggies. He earned the Aggie Heart Award, Defensive Attitude Award, and the Defensive Aggie Award for strength & conditioning at the annual team banquet.
