Whatever the future holds for David Gbenda, he’s found his happy place – back on the football field – through three weeks of training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The 25-year-old linebacker signed with the Riders in March after previously attending training camp in 2025 with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.
“We've got a great group of guys and I love every day with them,” Gbenda said after Wednesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium, noting twice it had been "awhile" since he'd suited up prior to camp. “The coaches have been amazing, from (linebackers) Coach Travis (Brown) to Coach Bell (defensive coordinator Josh Bell), they've really brought me in and they've helped me learn this new game so fast and I'm loving every moment of it.”
For Gbenda, who also played six seasons collegiately from with the Texas Longhorns, the biggest difference in learning the Canadian football game was – maybe unsurprisingly – the 12th player on the field.
“But besides that, the X’s and O’s are pretty similar,” he continued, sporting his ever-present smile. “Getting back into this game, I love the game, so getting back to it has just been nothing but an amazing journey.”
Part of that journey included a chance to meet up with former Longhorns teammate Morice Blackwell III when the Riders traveled to Calgary to face the Stampeders in their first preseason game May 18.
Gbenda ended that game with two tackles including one for a loss.
He added another defensive tackle along with one on special teams in Saskatchewan’s second preseason game Saturday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
“He's had a good camp. He flies around. Everything that you would think of a Texas linebacker, he brought that," Riders head coach Corey Mace told reporters after Thursday’s practice.
“For him just getting an acclimated to the game and obviously the defence and what we require. Again, another great kid. Love his energy. He's always eager to learn. He'll communicate, but you know, like any rookie, there's gonna be some bumps in the road for him to figure out, but it's just a matter of can you learn and not make the same mistake?
“But he's been pretty solid for us man.”
