The Saskatchewan Roughriders are adding depth to their secondary as they prepare for the final stretch of the CFL season. The Riders announced Tuesday that they signed American defensive backs Jy Gilmore and Lemondre Joe.
Gilmore, 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, spent the 2025 season at Georgia Tech, recording 35 tackles, including three for loss, one sack and three pass deflections in nine games.
He was named the ACC Defensive Back of the Week on October 18 after putting together a standout performance against Duke, recording 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and two pass deflections. Duke would go on to win the conference championship.
Gilmore was also voted a team captain in his lone season with the Yellow Jackets.
Before joining Georgia Tech, Gilmore spent the 2024 season at Georgia State, where he played 12 games and recorded 53 tackles, two interceptions and three pass deflections.
The Florida native began his collegiate career at Tennessee Tech, playing from 2020 through 2023. In 30 games, he recorded 115 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, a forced fumble and 18 pass deflections. He also returned a punt 39 yards for a touchdown as a freshman.
Joe, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound defensive back, spent his final collegiate season at Colorado State in 2025. He started all 12 games for the Rams and finished with 56 tackles, five tackles for loss, a team-high four sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and 13 pass deflections.
Following his collegiate career, Joe was invited to the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie mini camp in 2026.
Joe spent his first four collegiate seasons at Missouri State, appearing in 35 games and making 24 starts. He recorded 90 tackles, three tackles for loss, seven interceptions and 23 pass deflections.
The Riders made room for the two additions by releasing quarterback Eddie Lee Marburger and running back Star Thomas.
Thomas appeared in one game for Saskatchewan this season, playing against Hamilton on August 15. He carried the ball nine times for 36 yards and added one reception for three yards.
Marburger signed with the Roughriders on September 20. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound quarterback finished his collegiate career at Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2025, leading the Vaqueros to a 9-3 record in their first season as a Division I program.
Marburger completed 65.2 percent of his passes for 2,780 yards, 31 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 308 yards and four touchdowns.
His performance earned him Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and first-team All-Conference honours.
Marburger spent his previous four seasons at UTSA, appearing in 18 games in a backup role and completing 54.2 percent of his passes for 777 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.
The Riders will hope Gilmore and Joe provide additional depth and competition in a Saskatchewan secondary that continues to face the demands of a long CFL season.
