The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed offensive linemen Braydon Noll and Daniel Johnson, linebacker Zach Philion, and punter Joe Couch to future contracts starting in 2025 on Tuesday.
Braydon Noll is six foot six and weighs 297 pounds. The 27-year-old from Orangeville, Ontario, The Argonauts drafted Noll in the fourth round (35th pick) in the 2022 CFL Draft. Noll played one game for the Argonauts against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on August 6, 2022.
Noll played three games as a backup for the Argonauts in 2023. Noll appeared in two preseason games for the Toronto Argonauts in 2024. The Argos released him on June 2, 2024. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Noll on August 5, 2024. He appeared in four games for the Roughriders in 2024. The Roughriders released him on November 10, 2024.
Collegiately, Noll played 23 games in five seasons at Wilfrid Laurier University (2016-21) playing every position on the offensive line. He started as a defensive lineman before moving to the offensive line in his second year. In addition, he attended Trinity College before transferring to Wilfrid Laurier.
Daniel Johnson is six foot six and weighs 320 pounds. The 25-year-old from Nairobi, Kenya, was drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the fifth round (41st pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft. He attended rookie minicamp with the Indianapolis Colts before signing with the Roughriders on May 14, 2024, and spent the season on the practice squad. The Roughriders released him on November 10, 2024.
Collegiately, Johnson played four seasons at Kent State (2018-21) playing both tackle positions in 15 games, of which 10 were starts for the Golden Flashes. In 2020, Kent State’s offense led the NCAA in scoring (199) and total offense (2,426).
Then, Johnson transferred to Purdue University (2022-23) playing both left tackle and right tackle in 10 games for the Boilermakers. In 2023, Johnson allowed eight quarterback hurries, one hit, and one sack. Purdue’s offense finished the season averaging 23.92 points per game, 168.8 rushing yards per game, 211.17 passing yards per game, 379.9 total yards per game, and 38 touchdowns. After the season, Johnson 2024 Gridiron Showcase All-Star Game.
Zachary Philion is six foot one and weighs 221 pounds. The 25-year-old from Buffalo, New York, was drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks in the seventh round (58th pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft. Philion appeared in two preseason games for the Redblacks recording no stats. After the preseason, he was placed on the practice squad.
The Redblacks released Philion on June 19, 2024. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Philion on August 13, 2024. He appeared in one game for the Roughriders in 2024 recording no stats. The Roughriders released him on August 31, 2024.
Saskatchewan re-signed Philion on September 27, 2024. He appeared in two more games making one tackle on special teams. The Roughriders released him on October 25, 2024. He re-signed with the Roughriders on October 26, 2024. He played two additional games in 2024 making one tackle on special teams. The Roughriders released him again on November 10, 2024.
Collegiately, Philion played one season at New Mexico Military Institute in 2019 making nine tackles (6 solo, 3 assists), one interception, and two pass breakups in eight games for the Broncos.
Then, he transferred to Concordia (2021-23) making 103 tackles (69 solo, 34 assists), 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception for two yards, 10 pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 24 games for the Stingers.
Joe Couch is five foot eleven and weighs 210 pounds. The 30-year-old from Torquay, Victoria, Australia, played Australian rules football for Geelong College and trained with Prokick Australia before making his way to the United States.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Couch on May 6, 2024. He played two preseason games punting the ball six times for 257 yards (42.8 AVG) with a long of 48 yards. He spent the 2024 season on the practice squad. The Roughriders released him on November 10, 2024.
Collegiately, Couch played three seasons at Ouachita Baptist University (2021-23) punting the ball 76 times for 3,397 yards (44.7 AVG) with a long of 63 yards, 10 touchbacks, 13 fair catches, 30 from inside the 20-yard line, 26 from 50-plus yards, 13 kickoffs for 751 yards (57.8 AVG), three touchbacks, and one carry for -9 yards in 29 games for the Tigers.
In 2022, Couch was named First Team All-Great American Conference, First Team D2CCA All-Region, and Second Team D2CAA All-American after punting the ball 32 times for 1,387 yards (43.3 AVG) with a long of 60 yards, two touchbacks, six fair catches, 15 from inside the 20-yards line, and 8 from 50-plus yards in 12 games.
The following year, Couch punted the ball 29 times for 1,297 yards (44.7 AVG) with a long of 63 yards, four touchbacks, five fair catches, 11 from inside the 20-yard line, and 10 from 50-plus yards in 11 games. Couch was named Second Team All-Great American Conference in 2023 and earned an invite to the College Gridiron Showcase. Couch majored in Kinesiology with a minor in nutrition and dietetics.
