The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced that defensive lineman Nicholas Dheilly has retired from the CFL on Thursday.
Nicholas Dheilly is six foot three and weighs 226 pounds. The 26-year-old from Regina, Saskatchewan, made two tackles on special teams for the Roughriders in 2024.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers drafted Dheilly in the fifth round (46th pick) of the 2020 CFL Draft. He played four games for the Blue Bombers in 2021 making one tackle on special teams.
The Blue Bombers released him on November 1, 2021, and Dheilly signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on November 11, 2021. He did not play for the Roughriders for the remaining 2021 season. Dheilly played three seasons in Saskatchewan making one tackle and six tackles on special teams in 16 games.
Collegiately, Dheilly played two seasons at the University of Regina (2016-17) making 61 tackles (38 solo, 23 assists), 20 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, one interception, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 17 games for the Rams.
He was named Canada West Rookie of the Year in 2016, Canada West All-Star in 2017, and the University of Regina Male Rookie of the Year in 2016.
Next, he played for the Okanogan Sun (BCJFC) in 2018 making nine tackles (8 solo, 1 assist), three tackles on special teams, eight sacks, and one pass breakup in six games. He was named an All-Star after the season.
Then, he went to the University of Saskatchewan in 2019 making 24 tackles (20 solo, 4 assists), 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception for five yards, and four pass breakups in 10 games.
