The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American defensive back Phalen Sanford.
Sanford most recently played with the National Football League’s Las Vegas Raiders. Sanford, a five-foot-11, 195-pound defensive back, joined the Raiders as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft. The highlight of Sanford’s season was a blocked punt, and they ran it back 42 yards in preseason action against the Minnesota Vikings.
Sanford spent five seasons at Nebraska, suiting up for 40 games as a Cornhusker. A walk-on in 2019, the Nebraska native worked his way up from standout special teamer to starter by the time his senior season came in 2023. He contributed 55 career defensive tackles, one tackle for loss, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
Prior to attending Nebraska, he spent his freshman year at Hastings College as a multi-sport athlete, competing in numerous track and field events and winning three titles.
Sanford also qualified for the NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships in high jump that year.
