When UAB shuttered its football program for what turned out to be two seasons after the 2014 campaign, many of the players in the program transferred, including defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr.

Milligan and the Saskatchewan Roughriders kick off their season at 7 p.m. CDT Thursday against the Ottawa Redblacks. CBS Sports Network will televise the game.

Between the end of his UAB career and the opening game of the Canadian Football League’s 2025 season, Milligan transferred to Toledo, appeared on the rosters of three NFL teams, played in 11 games for the Indianapolis Colts in 2019 and won the CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award for the 2024 season.

Milligan heads into his fifth season with the Roughriders ranked by The Sports Network as the CFL’s No. 2 player entering the 2025 campaign. He trails only Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira, the league’s leading rusher in each of the past two seasons.

In a comeback season after missing nearly all of 2023 because of a foot injury, Milligan led the CFL with eight interceptions in 2024. He also made 71 tackles on defense and 20 on special teams.

Milligan leads a smattering of players from Alabama high schools and colleges on CFL rosters as the 2025 season kicks off this weekend. Each of the nine teams has at least one player with Alabama football roots.

The players on CFL rosters from Alabama high schools and colleges include:

British Columbia Lions

• Defensive lineman Tre Crawford (UAB)
• Offensive lineman Chris Schleuger (UAB)

Calgary Stampeders

• Linebacker Derrick Moncrief (Auburn)

Edmonton Elks

• Linebacker D.K. Bonhomme (South Alabama)
• Defensive back Devodric Bynum (UAB)
• Defensive back Kordell Jackson (Ramsay)

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

• Defensive lineman Philip Ossai (North Alabama), practice squad

Montreal Alouettes

• Defensive back Don Callis (Troy), practice squad
• Defensive lineman Antonio Moultrie (UAB)
• Wide receiver Jalen Wayne (Spanish Fort, South Alabama), practice squad

Ottawa Redblacks

• Wide receiver Nick Mardner (Auburn), six-game injured list

Saskatchewan Roughriders

• Defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. (UAB)

Toronto Argonauts

• Quarterback Jarret Doege (Troy)
• Defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II (Alabama A&M)

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

• Offensive lineman Kendall Randolph (Bob Jones, Alabama)

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.