Former highly touted NCAA prospect ready to make his mark with Riders

Ajou Ajou has taken a long and winding route to becoming a Saskatchewan Roughrider.

The rookie wide receiver survived final cuts and will be on the roster when the Riders open the regular season this Saturday in Edmonton against the Elks.

"It feels great," said the rookie receiver. "I'm thankful for the opportunity, [but] the real work begins now."

Ajou's family is originally from South Sudan and came to Alberta as refugees.

He was born in Calgary and grew up in Brooks, Alta., where he starred in multiple sports.

Ajou was highly recruited by top U.S. college teams and played two years with the Clemson Tigers before transferring to  South Florida University. But he only played in one game there before injuries sidelined him for the rest of the year.

After he recovered, Ajou found there was no spot for him at South Florida and he ended up playing at Garden City Community College.

With little on his late-college resume, Ajou was selected by the Riders in the seventh round.

He said that late selection only makes him work harder.

"I've always got a chip on my shoulder," Ajou said. "Football's passionate … so yeah, anytime I get to strap up, put the pads on, it's work."

Head coach Corey Mace said Ajou has disregarded the noise around him and just set about making the team.

"Pre-draft, everybody was pumping his tires," Mace said. "He came in and he just kind of closed his mouth, put his head down and did the dirty work."

Mace said Ajou shows flashes of what made him a hot college prospect.

"If he continues to go down that route, it's maybe going to be a hell of a steal."

Saturday's game in Edmonton was set for the evening, but has been moved to the afternoon so it doesn't conflict with the Edmonton Oilers first game against the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup final.

Second-year Rider Shea Patterson beat out veteran Mason Fine, who was released on Sunday, for the backup quarterback position.

"They were neck and neck through the majority of camp, but we felt really set himself above," said Mace, adding Patterson has the ability to create and make things happen.

Patterson dressed for 13 games last year and was primarily used in short yardage situations.

He carried the ball 15 times for 39 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns.

Before coming to Saskatchewan, Patterson spent time with the B.C. Lions and Montreal Alouettes.

Patterson said he's ready to do whatever the team needs.  

"My role is to make sure [Harris] is ready to play and to push him every single week," he said.

"Whether you're the [No.] 2 or 3 or 4, you always want to push the next guy that's ahead of you because that will make them that much better."