The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed defensive back Nicario Harper and released linebacker K.D. Davis on Wednesday.
Nicario Harper is six foot and weighs 205 pounds. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Harper began his collegiate career at Southern Mississippi in 2018 making three tackles (2 solo, 1 assist) in three games for the Golden Eagles. Next, Harper transferred to Jacksonville State (2020-21) making 146 tackles (69 solo, 77 assists), five tackles for loss, five interceptions for 43 yards, nine pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries in 22 games for the Gamecocks.
Harper was named the OVC Defensive Player of the Year, a Buck Buchannon Award Finalist, an FCS ADA All-American as the best player in the nation at his position, AFCA First Team All-American, First Team All-American by HERO Sports, First Team All-American by the Associated Press, and First Team All-OVC in the 2020-21 season.
Then, Harper transferred to Louisville in 2022 making seven tackles (4 solo, 3 assists) and half a tackle for loss in five games for the Cardinals. Harper concluded his collegiate career at Illinois in 2023 making 50 tackles (30 solo, 20 assists), two tackles for loss, one interception, and three pass breakups in 12 games for the Fighting Illini.
K.D. Davis is six foot and weighs 230 pounds. The 24-year-old from Ennis, Texas, signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on January 18, 2024. Davis played one preseason game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2024 making one tackle.
Collegiately, Davis played five seasons at North Texas (2018-22) with 428 tackles (200 solo, 228 assists), 32 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, one interception, four pass breakups, one forced fumble, and four fumble recoveries in 61 games for the Mean Green.
He was named First Team All-C-USA by the coaches in 2021, a First Team All-C-USA by Phil Steele in 2022, C-USA Linebacker of the Year by PFN in 2022, and the C-USA Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.
