9:35 a.m. EST — If you’re not already, be sure to follow our Instagram page. It’s growing fast and we’ve got slick graphics with all the latest news over there.

9:22 a.m. EST — Tre Ford recently told 3DownNation why he chose the Hamilton Tiger-Cats after being released by the Edmonton Elks. Check out the full podcast episode here.

9:05 a.m. EST — Justin Dunk, John Hodge, and JC Abbott analyzed all the CFL’s reported signings and more on the latest edition of the 3DownNation Podcast. Check out the episode here and don’t forget to subscribe on your favourite podcast provider.

8:44 a.m. EST — Many of 3DownNation‘s top 50 pending free agents still do not have agreements for 2026, including Kurleigh Gittens Jr., Dominique Rhymes, McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Jovan Santos-Knox, Anthony Lanier II, Joshua Coker, William Stanback, Sean McEwen, Dalton Schoen, Lorenzo Mauldin IV, and C.J. Avery.

8:23 a.m. EST — Follow our news breakers Justin Dunk, John Hodge, and JC Abbott on Twitter/X and Bluesky so you don’t miss anything all day long.

8:03 a.m. EST — It’s time for the first coffee of the day. Never underestimate the importance of coffee during CFL free agency.

8:00 a.m. EST — Pending free agents were able to negotiate with teams across the CFL during the “legal tampering” window from February 1 to 8. Many agreements were reached during this time, though they can’t become official until free agency opens on Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. EST.

Offensive players with agreements in place include Jake Maier (Ottawa), Taylor Powell (Edmonton), Dustin Crum (Montreal), Greg Bell (Ottawa), Dejon Brissett (Calgary), Joe Robustelli (Edmonton), Tommy Nield (Winnipeg), Ayden Eberhardt (Ottawa), Jerreth Sterns (Montreal), Brendan O’Leary-Orange (Edmonton), Tyson Middlemost (Hamilton), Jarell Broxton (Winnipeg), Coulter Woodmansey (Edmonton), Jordan Murray (Edmonton), Brendan Bordner (Edmonton), and Eric Lofton (Hamilton).

Defensive players with agreements in place include Dylan Wynn (Ottawa), Malik Carney (Edmonton), Habakkuk Baldonado (Ottawa), James Vaughters (Saskatchewan), Jonathan Kongbo (Toronto), Kene Onyeka (Hamilton), A.J. Allen (Ottawa), Brian Cole II (Ottawa), Michael Brodrique (Ottawa), C.J. Reavis (Ottawa), Jonathan Moxey (Winnipeg), DaShaun Amos (Toronto), Demerio Houston (Ottawa), Devodric Bynum (Calgary), Scott Hutter (Ottawa), and Robert Priester (Toronto).

Some players entered free agency earlier and have already officially signed with new teams. These include Darnell Sankey (B.C.), Chris Kolankowski (Hamilton), Casey Sayles (B.C.), Adarius Pickett (Toronto), Peyton Logan (Toronto), DeWayne Hendrix (Toronto), Dakoda Shepley (Toronto), Tim White (Winnipeg), Austin Mack (Edmonton), DeVonte Dedmon (Montreal), Tre Ford (Hamilton), Deonta McMahon (Calgary), Jake Ceresna (Winnipeg), Josh Woods (Saskatchewan), Wynton McManis (Hamilton), and James Letcher Jr. (Saskatchewan).

Welcome to the 3DownNation 2026 CFL free agency live blog!

We will be around all day to provide the latest news, insight, analysis, and rumours surrounding CFL free agency. We’ve done many live blogs in the past and we’re excited you’ve chosen to join us for this year’s edition. There’s lots of fun to be had over the day, so let’s get rocking.

The post 2026 CFL free agency: LIVE appeared first on 3DownNation.

The Memphis Fire Department responded to a call in the Orange Mound neighbourhood at 2:00 a.m. local time on Friday, February 6. They found an unresponsive victim in the rear hallway who was pronounced dead at the scene. A representative of the Wilburn family later confirmed that the individual was Barry.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Wilburn was originally selected in the eighth round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Washington Football Team and rose to become a starting cornerback, earning NFL All-Pro honours after a nine-interception season in 1987. He capped that year with a start in Super Bowl XXII, picking off John Elway twice in a rout of the Denver Broncos.

The Ole Miss product saw his career derailed by a drug suspension in 1989, and he was out of football for two seasons before staging a comeback with the Cleveland Browns in 1992. When that was unsuccessful, he headed north and joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1993, earning a CFL all-star selection in his first season.

Wilburn would be released following his first campaign in Saskatchewan and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, though he was waived in training camp. He joined the B.C. Lions in September, where he contributed to the 1994 Grey Cup victory over the Baltimore Stallions. With the win, Wilburn became one of the few players in pro football history to win a championship in both the CFL and NFL.

The six-foot-two, 196-pound coverman returned to the NFL that offseason and spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. In 1999, he staged a brief CFL comeback with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and was also drafted by the Memphis Maniax in the inaugural XFL.

In 29 CFL games, Wilburn made 58 defensive tackles, two special teams tackles, and three interceptions. Across 91 NFL games, he was credited with 246 tackles and 20 interceptions, scoring one touchdown.

The post Grey Cup winner, Super Bowl champion Barry Wilburn killed in house fire appeared first on 3DownNation.

“What he’s done for Saskatchewan on the field as well as off the field, it says a lot about him. What better way to go out than on top with a Grey Cup ring?” Durant said on The SportsCage.

“Much respect to Brett. I’ve always been a huge supporter of his. He’s one of the best that I’ve seen in Saskatchewan. I wish him the best as he moves forward with his life.”

The 35-year-old was released by the team prior to an offseason roster bonus on February 1. Lauther leaves the Riders ranked third in team history with 1,110 points behind Dave Ridgway and Paul McCallum. He went 10-for-10 on game-winning field goal attempts in Green and White, tied for the second-most with McCallum.

Lauther made good on 295-of-360 field goal tries in Riderville, an 81.9 percent accuracy rate that’s the best in Saskatchewan’s record books for anyone with 100-plus field goal attempts. His 59-yard three-pointer against Hamilton in Week 11 last season sits as the third-longest boot in Roughriders history.

“I’ll start with off the field, because in my opinion, that’s a lot more important. The impact that you leave, being around the kids, all the help he’s done in the community, you name it, he’s been around the province to support the team, to support every single small town in Saskatchewan,” Durant said.

“I, being a former player, really appreciate everything he’s done for the province, and also for the team.”

In 2023, Lauther’s community contributions were recognized when he received the Tom Pate Memorial Award, which is presented on an annual basis by the CFL Players’ Association (CFLPA) to a member who demonstrates supreme sportsmanship and exemplary contributions to his team and community.

Lauther’s 2025 regular season in Saskatchewan was inconsistent. He made 39-of-54 field goal attempts, a conversion rate of 72.2 percent — the lowest in his eight seasons with the Roughriders. His convert rate was the worst in the league at 91.2 percent.

“It gets tough playing in Saskatchewan. The mental part of the game is something that we don’t discuss a lot. I think mentally it took a toll on him. I think whenever you get in a rut, which happens to all players — there’s no perfect player — there’s no guy that can stay hot pretty much his whole career,” Durant said.

“Once you start getting in a rut in Saskatchewan, only the mentally strong survive, I think it started to get to him a little bit. You could tell that every single kick he was about to take, the entire province was holding their breath that the kick would go in.”

“You could sense the frustration on his face when he didn’t make a kick. Once you wear that on your sleeve and you can see his emotions, especially on TV, then you know it’s getting the best of him. It’s unfortunate, we all get to that point at some point in our careers.”

Lauther was perfect in the West Final, going three-for-three on his field goal attempts and knocked through two extra points in a 24-21 win. The native of Truro, N.S. also made three extra points in the 112th Grey Cup but missed a 39-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, which would have put the Riders ahead by 11 points.

Instead, Saskatchewan’s lead stayed at eight as the Green and White needed a Marcus Sayles forced fumble on the goal line and hail mary knockdown in the end zone to win.

The post Darian Durant believes Brett Lauther belongs among best all-time Saskatchewan Roughriders kickers appeared first on 3DownNation.

“We didn’t talk for years. He’ll tell you, we didn’t talk for years. I was so pissed, it was years — I would say at least four years. Even after the Grey Cup, we played Hamilton in 2013, I didn’t say a word to him during the week,” Durant said on The SportsCage.

“He was my best friend. I’ve never told anyone this story, and it’s crazy, but I didn’t talk to Andy for years — I was that pissed off at him. When it happened, I was in my 20s, then as I got into my early 30s, I started understanding the business more.”

Fantuz signed a lucrative four-year contract with the Ticats reportedly worth $740,000 in hard money, which broke down to $185,000 per season plus an additional $5,000 for being named to the active roster in 14 regular-season games. The Chatham, Ont., native played his U Sports football at Western University for the Mustangs.

“When Andy left, I was pissed. I thought that what we started in 2006, we hadn’t accomplished a Grey Cup yet — we had lost twice. I felt like he was a guy I wanted to play with forever. He was one of my best friends personally. On the field, we had such good chemistry that I didn’t want to see him leave,” Durant said.

“I was looking at it from a selfish perspective, not understanding that being in Ontario, he was home, he has a family, they were going to pay him well. I was looking at things from a personal perspective. As I got older, more mature, and you see guys being able to get the type of money that they never thought they could get… guys are making strides in their personal careers.”

Durant and Fantuz won a CFL championship on the same team in 2007. The former was a backup QB behind Kerry Joseph, while the latter was a National pass catcher who recorded 56 receptions for 978 yards with seven touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. No. 83 added 16 catches for 263 yards with two majors in three postseason games, including a 29-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter during the 95th Grey Cup to help him earn the Most Valuable Canadian award after posting four grabs for 70 yards.

“Most guys want to be in situations where they’re happy. If Saskatchewan didn’t want to compensate some guys to where they felt like they deserved, then if another team does, you’re happy for them,” Durant said.

“Everyone has different goals. Sometimes it’s about playing time, sometimes it’s about money, but you’re always happy to see good friends of yours and good teammates get a pay raise, be able to take care of their families and be happy because that’s what it’s all about.”

Fantuz spent six seasons with Saskatchewan and six in Hamilton. The six-foot-four, 221-pound target registered 637 receptions for 8,363 yards with 44 touchdowns in 148 regular-season CFL games. He notched 76 catches for 992 yards plus six majors in 18 playoff games.

His best season came in 2010, with Durant throwing him the football.

That year, Fantuz produced a single-season career-high 1,380 receiving yards in 18 regular-season games. He averaged 15.9 yards per catch on 87 receptions and scored six touchdowns. For those efforts, the third overall pick in the 2006 CFL Draft earned the three-down league’s Most Outstanding Canadian award and reached all-star status.

“When I finally got out of my feelings, sat down and had a conversation with him, he explained to me what it meant to him to be back in Ontario by his family. Then I knew that Saskatchewan may not have wanted to compensate him in a way that Hamilton did,’ Durant said.

“Me looking at the situation, whatever deal [Brendan] Taman offered Andy, I thought was amazing. But after he told me what Hamilton gave him, it was a no-brainer. I got out of my feelings really quick. Ever since that falling out, we’ve always been in contact since then. I wish it never happened, but that’s the emotional part of the game.”

The post Darian Durant didn’t talk to Andy Fantuz for years after he left Saskatchewan Roughriders in CFL free agency appeared first on 3DownNation.

Those stops will provide Roughriders fans the opportunity to see the Grey Cup, take photos, and be involved in community-focused celebrations.

Humboldt is the first destination as the CFL championship trophy heads to Elgar Petersen Arena when the Broncos take on the Estevan Bruins in Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League action. That visit fulfills a commitment to the team and city, after the tragic bus crash, to be one of the first communities the Grey Cup would stop in after the Riders won.

Members from the 2025 championship team and Gainer the Gopher will also be in attendance at the SJHL game, with photo opportunities available on the concourse and a pre-game ceremony included in the fun. The Green and White will provide updates on public tour dates on a rolling basis, but the most up to date information will be available on the Roughriders website.

The list below is not comprehensive and primarily reflects tour events that are open to the public.

Upcoming public event dates:

Saturday, February 7

Humboldt: official tour kickoff – Broncos vs. Estevan Bruins

Where: Elgar Peterson Arena

When: 7:30 p.m. puck drop, photo opportunities available on the concourse beginning pre-game

Sunday, February 8

Nipawin – Curling Sask mixed doubles tournament

Where: Nipawin Evergreen Curling Club

When: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Monday, February 9

Melfort – community event

Where: Kerry Vickar Centre

When: 4:00 p.m to 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 10

James Smith Cree Nation – no public events

Prince Albert – Raiders vs. Regina Pats

Where: Art Hauser Arena

When: 7 p.m. puck drop

Thursday, February 12

Saskatoon – Rider store

Where: Midtown, near the Rider Store

When: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – players will be available to sign autographs

Saturday, February 14

Regina – Frost in collaboration with Saskatchewan Science Centre

Where: Cornwall Centre

When: 10:00 a.m. To 11:30 a.m.

Monday, February 16

Weyburn – Family Fun Day

Where: Credit Union Spark Centre

When: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Weyburn – Red Wings vs. Melville Millionaires

Where: Crescent Point Place

When: 3 p.m. puck drop

Tuesday, February 17

North Battleford – community event

Where: Don Ross Centre Gym

When: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Wednesday, February 18

Meadow Lake – Saskatchewan Winter Games

Venues and times to be decided

The post Saskatchewan Roughriders unveil February Grey Cup community tour dates appeared first on 3DownNation.

The six-foot, 227-pound Kim signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft, but was released early in training camp.

During his senior season at Michigan State in 2024, Kim made 19-of-21 field goals, a 90.5-per-cent accuracy rate with his longest being a 55-yarder. He was 11-of-12 from 40 yards or more and the lone miss came from 55 yards out. The Fredericksburg, Virginia native was a second-team all-Big Ten selection and set a school record with six field goals in a game, which was also a single-game high in the NCAA FBS that year. 

In 2023 with the Spartans, Kim made 13-of-18 on field goals, four from at least 50 yards. His 58-yarder against the University of Iowa on September 30, 2023 was the longest in the Hawkeyes nearly century-old home venue, Kinnick Stadium. He graduated as Michigan State’s all-time leader in field goal percentage at 82.1. 

Kim transferred to East Lansing after spending four seasons (2019-2022) at the University of North Carolina where he was primarily the Tar Heels kickoff specialist. He led the NCAA in touchbacks with 76 in 2020, ranked first in the Atlantic Coast Conference with 65, which was fourth in the nation the following year.

Over 60 collegiate games, Kim averaged 63.6 yards per kickoff and registered 246 touchbacks with Only 62 kickoffs returned. 

Saskatchewan recently released veteran Canadian kicker Brett Lauther. General manager Jeremy O’Day has gone on record and said the team will have an open competition for the job at training camp. The Riders re-signed American kicker Michael Hughes in January.

The Roughriders finished first in the West Division standings in 2025 with a 12-6 record, finishing first in the West Division for the first time since 2019. The team went on to defeat the Montreal Alouettes in the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg, marking the team’s first championship in 12 years. Trevor Harris went 11-5 as a starter, throwing for 4,549 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.

Saskatchewan ranked second in net offence, second in net defence, and tied for third with a turnover differential of plus-eight. The team’s leading rusher was A.J. Ouellette with 1,222 yards, the leading receiver was KeeSean Johnson with 1,159 yards, and the leading tackler was A.J. Allen with 91 tackles. Saskatchewan finished second in attendance with average crowds of 28,427, which was a 2.7 percent increase from the previous year.

The post Saskatchewan Roughriders sign Michigan State Spartans kicker Jonathan Kim appeared first on 3DownNation.

The six-foot-two, 205-pound target was originally selected in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft, 252nd overall, by the Denver Broncos. He went on to play 23 games for the team, registering eight receptions for 91 yards and returning 10 kickoffs for 234 yards.

Cleveland later spent time on the practice rosters of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Indianapolis Colts, but did not see game action. The 28-year-old has been out of the NFL since August 2024 and earned just short of $2.1 million during his career.

Collegiately, Cleveland played four seasons at the University of Florida, appearing in 46 games as a Gator. He posted 79 receptions for 1,271 yards and eight touchdowns, while returning 10 kickoffs for 242 yards and one touchdown.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders finished first in the West Division standings in 2025 with a 12-6 record, finishing first in the West Division for the first time since 2019. The team went on to defeat the Montreal Alouettes in the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg, marking the team’s first championship in 12 years. Trevor Harris went 11-5 as a starter, throwing for 4,549 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.

The Roughriders ranked second in net offence, second in net defence, and tied for third with a turnover differential of plus-eight. The club’s leading rusher was A.J. Ouellette with 1,222 yards, the leading receiver was KeeSean Johnson with 1,159 yards, and the leading tackler was A.J. Allen with 91 tackles. Saskatchewan finished second in attendance with average crowds of 28,427, which was a 2.7 percent increase from the previous year.

The post Saskatchewan Roughriders sign Denver Broncos NFL draft pick Tyrie Cleveland appeared first on 3DownNation.

The 27-year-old was granted an early release by the B.C. Lions on December 22, following the team’s acquisition of Darnell Sankey.

The six-foot-two, 235-pound defender made 62 defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, and one sack over 14 regular-season games in 2025, making 10 starts at weak-side linebacker. He returned to the lineup in July after suffering an ACL tear four games into the 2024 season.

The native of Ontario, Calif. made his Lions debut in 2021 following his collegiate career at UCLA, where he made 111 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, two pass knockdowns, and one interception over 31 games.

Woods played 55 regular-season CFL games over five seasons with the Lions, making 152 defensive tackles, 25 special teams tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, and one touchdown.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders finished first in the West Division standings in 2025 with a 12-6 record, finishing first in the West Division for the first time since 2019. The team went on to defeat the Montreal Alouettes in the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg, marking the team’s first championship in 12 years. Trevor Harris went 11-5 as a starter, throwing for 4,549 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.

The Roughriders ranked second in net offence, second in net defence, and tied for third with a turnover differential of plus-eight. The club’s leading rusher was A.J. Ouellette with 1,222 yards, leading receiver was KeeSean Johnson with 1,159 yards, and leading tackler was A.J. Allen with 91 tackles. Saskatchewan finished second in attendance with average crowds of 28,427, which was a 2.7 percent increase from the previous year.

The post Former B.C. linebacker Josh Woods signs with Saskatchewan Roughriders appeared first on 3DownNation.

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