The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed former New York Giants linebacker T.J. Brunson on Thursday. In addition, the team released wide receiver Isaiah McKoy.
T.J. Brunson is six foot one and weighs 230 pounds. The 25-year-old from Columbia, South Carolina, spent two seasons with the New York Giants with three tackles in his rookie season in 2020. The Giants drafted Brunson in the seventh round (238th pick) in the 2020 NFL Draft. In the 2021 preseason, Brunson made four tackles against the New York Jets.
Collegiately, Brunson played four seasons at South Carolina (2016-19) with 283 tackles (164 solo, 119 assists), 21 tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception for five yards, seven pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 49 games, of which 37 were starts for the Gamecocks.
He is a two-time team captain and recipient of the Leadership Award. In addition, he was named Joe Morrison Award as the team’s defensive MVP in 2018. After his collegiate career, Brunson was selected to play in the NFL Player Association Collegiate Bowl.
Isaiah McKoy is six foot two and weighs 200 pounds. The 24-year-old from Brooklyn, New York signed with the Roughriders five days ago. Before Saskatchewan, McKoy signed Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2021 and later joined the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts. In addition, McKoy signed with the Michigan Panthers in 2022.
Collegiately, McKoy played three seasons at Kent State (2018-20) with 123 catches for 1,750 yards, 16 touchdowns, eight kick returns for 139 yards, and one punt return for two yards in 26 games for the Golden Flashes. In 2020, he First Team All-MAC honors after making 25 catches for 455 yards, five touchdowns, and five kick returns for 62 yards in four games.
In 2019, he was named Third Team All-MAC after making 56 catches for 872 yards, eight touchdowns, three kick returns for 77 yards, and one punt return for two yards in 11 games. He finished his career ranked second in school history in touchdown receptions, fifth in receiving yards, and sixth in receptions.
