The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed offensive linemen Ryan Berta and D’mitri Emmanuel on Friday.
Ryan Berta is six foot three and weighs 302 pounds. A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Berta played four seasons at Queen’s University (2019, 2021-23) playing center and right guard in 35 games for the Gaels making one catch for one yard and one tackle (1 assist).
In 2023, Queen’s offense was one of the OUA’s top rushing offenses, finishing the season with 1,938 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Berta was named U Sports Second Team All-Canadian and an OUA All-Star for his senior season efforts. He was also named an OUA All-Star in 2022.
At the 2024 CFL Combine in Winnipeg, Berta won the bench press (30), along with running a 5.39 in the 40-yard dash, 26 in vertical, 8’ 6” in broad, 7.96 in the 3-cone drill, and 4.78 in the shuttle drill.
D’mitri Emmanuel is six foot two and weighs 309 pounds. The 25-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, played three seasons at Charlotte (2019-21) playing left guard, left tackle, and right tackle in 25 games for the 49ers. In addition, he played right tackle in Charlotte’s first-ever bowl appearance at the 2019 Bahamas Bowl.
In 2019, Emmanuel was named Third Team All-C-USA by Phil Steele after Charlotte’s offense led C-USA and ranked 30th in the country in rushing offense (school-record 203.0 yds/gm), allowed just 1.62 sacks per game, tied for the 32nd-fewest in the country, scored on 88.4 percent of red zone possessions to tie for 35th in the nation, ranked 25th with a time of possession average of 31:59 per game, opened holes for first team all-C-USA RB Benny LeMay, who boasted a school-record seven 100-yard rushing games, ranked second in C-USA and 24th in the nation with a 98.4 rushing average and led C-USA with 120.4 all-purpose yards.
Then, Emmanuel transferred to Florida State (2022-23) playing left guard and right guard in 27 games for the Seminoles, and was named First Team All-ACC in 2023. In 2023, Florida State’s offense piled up 554 yards and averaged 8.3 yards per rush, totaling 306 yards on 37 carries vs. Eagles and posted FSU’s highest single-game point total vs. FBS opponent since 2013.
The Seminoles lead the ACC in scoring offense, total touchdowns, rushing touchdowns, yards per completion, fewest interceptions thrown, and fewest turnovers, along with protecting ACC Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year Jordan Travis, who led ACC in passing efficiency, yards per pass attempt, and fewest interceptions while breaking FSU records for career total offense and career touchdowns.
