Back to school: Second-generation Rider looks forward to second CFL training camp

Yesterday at 11:33 AM

Saskatchewan Roughriders receiving prospect D'Sean Mimbs will never forget one route adjustment in particular.

He was driving home from the University of Regina when, all of a sudden, the phone rang.

Mimbs pulled over, took the call, and was greeted with great news.

"It was my agent, just saying that they had all the contracts ready to sign," he said. "As soon as I got it, I signed it instantly."

Well, as quickly as was practical, anyway.

"I'd just got out of class and I was freezing cold driving home," Mimbs said. "Then I got the call.

"It just made the drive home better."

Ideally, Mimbs will contribute to a series of successful drives by the Roughriders, who selected him in the sixth round (50^th overall) of the 2024 CFL Draft.

The 24-year-old son of former Roughriders star running back Robert Mimbs enjoyed a strong start to training camp in 2024 before suffering a knee injury a week and a half into workouts at the University of Saskatchewan.

Although Mimbs was among 21 players on the Roughriders' list of final cuts, the team kept him in its plans.

The blueprint called for him to continue developing his skills with the U of R Rams and, if all went well, attend a second Coors Light Riders Training Camp in 2025.

Mission accomplished.

After catching 45 passes for 512 yards and two TDs in 11 U Sports games this past season, Mimbs signed a new contract with the Green and White. The deal was announced on Nov. 25.

"With the way the season turned out with the Rams, it was honestly worth it," he said. "It was a pretty fun season, going back and being with all my friends and everything.

"The icing on the cake — being re-signed by the Riders — makes it even better."

Mimbs spent some time icing his right knee after being injured at training camp. He suffered torn cartilage, a sprained medial collateral ligament and a ruptured cyst.

"When it first happened, they said I'd probably be out for our fall camp in August, but my knee was fine midway through July," said the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder, who is clearly a fast healer.

"I think I get it from my dad."

Robert Mimbs played in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1990 to 1992) and B.C. Lions (1992 and 1993) before sitting out the 1994 season.

Despite being nearly 31 when he resumed his gridiron career in late July of 1995, some of his best football was ahead.

Having posted single-season rushing-yardage totals of 1,341 (in 1990) and 1,769 (1991), Mimbs enjoyed a banner 1996 campaign for Saskatchewan. He rushed for a league-high 1,403 yards en route to being named the West Division's Most Outstanding Player.

Demonstrating the powers of heredity, D'Sean posted eye-popping numbers — excelling for the Winston Knoll Wolverines in the Regina Intercollegiate Football League ranks.

Most notably, he led the Schwann Conference (the RIFL's 6A division) in receiving in 2017, catching 36 passes for 733 yards and seven TDs.

Mimbs attended the Alabama-based Birmingham Sports Academy in 2018 before redshirting with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies the following year.

He then transferred to the U of R, only to lament the COVID-related cancellation of the 2020 Canada West season.

A long-awaited debut season in Canada West met all the expectations.

Over six games during a COVID-shortened 2021 campaign, Mimbs caught 18 passes and led the team in receiving yards (288) and aerial TDs (five). He was named the U of R's male rookie of the year.

Over four seasons with the Rams, he caught 130 passes for 1,717 yards and 10 scores in 32 games.

"We think he has a chance to be good," Roughriders Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O'Day said. "That's why we drafted him.

"But like everyone, it's the next step up and you've got to work hard at it and find a way to make the team."

With that objective in mind, Mimbs plans to adhere to a rigorous training regimen throughout the off-season. Then he will don the Roughriders' green and white for the second time at training camp.

"It means a lot, being able to stay home and play for the team you grew up watching," he said. "It can't get much better than that."