There's nothing like putting on that 'S' and playing for Saskatchewan" — Nick Wiebe
03/05/2024 05:03
Nick Wiebe is transitioning from a green and white Saskatchewan uniform to, well, a green and white Saskatchewan uniform.
A standout linebacker with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies for the past three seasons, Wiebe was selected by the Roughriders in the second round (12th overall) of Tuesday's CFL Draft.
He donned a Roughriders jersey for the first time on Thursday morning while appearing on stage at the Huskies' annual Dog's Breakfast in Saskatoon.
Roughriders Head Coach Corey Mace and Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager Jeremy O'Day presented Wiebe with green garb that included his Huskies number (43).
"It's surreal … it really is," Wiebe marvelled later in the day. "There's nothing I can do to really describe it.
"Playing professional football has been a dream of mine since I strapped on a helmet when I was eight years old.
"To have my name and number on a jersey that represents a franchise of that stature and a fan base of such commitment is truly an honour. There's no other place that I'd rather be."
Wiebe played two seasons of high school football at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., before joining the University of Oregon Ducks as a walk-on and impressing the coaches to the extent that he was awarded a scholarship.
He was a redshirt for most of his first two seasons at Oregon before appearing in three games in his third year. Most notable was the 2021 Fiesta Bowl, in which he figured in six tackles (four solo and two assisted) against Iowa State.
For family reasons, Wiebe then decided to return to Canada and play closer to home. He ultimately opted to move to Saskatoon and play for the U of S.
"It was the people I met and Scott Flory," explained Wiebe, referencing the Huskies' Head Coach. "That's why I ended up at the U of S. He was so amazing during the recruiting process, along with his coaches. They made it so easy for me to ask questions.
"You could tell through the recruiting process that Coach Flory is a players' coach and that he really cares about the guys who are on the team. I think that was a big reason for it.
"Then, obviously, there was the commitment to football in the community. Saskatoon rallies around the Huskies team like no other community rallies around a U Sports football team.
"Obviously, that's going to translate over to the Riders. Every time you drive through Saskatoon, you see people with Riders license plates and car decals.
"It has been a really great introduction to being a Saskatchewan football player and to preparing me for the next step, which is the Riders."
Last year, the 6-foot-3, 240-pounder was named a Canada West All-Star and the conference's top defensive player.
However, his 2023 season ended abruptly when he sustained a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament in a playoff game on Nov. 4.
With his recovery proceeding on-schedule, he expects to be available around mid-season.
That timetable is fine with the Roughriders, who were delighted to choose Wiebe.
"He's a real smart, physical football player," O'Day said. "If you watch his film from when he was at Oregon, he was one of their best special teams guys and he won some awards for special teams play.
"We were watching him the whole time he was at the U of S and knew that he would be a high pick. We kept picking him pretty high in the mock drafts and we kept hoping he would be there in the second round."
Watching the draft in Calgary, Wiebe was also hoping that himself and the Roughriders would be a match.
"I can't lie to you," he said with a laugh. "I was sitting on the couch with my mom. When I saw the Riders' pick approaching, I had my fingers crossed that I'd get the call from Coach Mace."
Oh, did he ever.
"Let's go-o-o-o-o-o!" Mace exclaimed to begin a FaceTime conversation with Wiebe.
"You're going to be very familiar with training camp."
Coors Light Riders Training Camp is to be held at Griffiths Stadium — home of the Huskies.
"I might get my old locker spot," Wiebe joked early in his Draft-night exchange with Mace.
Mace responded: "We're going to keep that green on you. It looks too good on you to change to anything else."
Wiebe's presence on the active roster promises to be worth the wait.
"We know the situation," Mace told the 23-year-old linebacker via FaceTime. "We're going to be patient with you, because we believe that you're a hell of a freaking football player."
A few days later, that upbeat chat is still resonating.
"It was unbelievable," Wiebe said. "It was just raw excitement from both sides.
"He called me right after the pick, so I was still a little bit shell-shocked and speechless that they called my name on TSN.
"There's so much excitement to be part of such an amazing franchise with such an amazing coaching staff."
That sentiment was reinforced on Thursday morning when Wiebe met with O'Day and Mace.
"That really solidified who the coaching staff is from a character standpoint," Wiebe said.
"Obviously, the 'S' speaks for itself. There's nothing like putting on that 'S' and playing for Saskatchewan."
