From going undrafted in the CFL Draft to pulling on the green and white jersey he grew up idolizing, Regina’s Carson Sombach is embracing every moment of his opportunity with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Sombach was among the players on the field Wednesday as the Roughriders opened rookie camp in Saskatoon, just days after signing with the club on May 4. While not hearing his name called during the 2025 CFL Draft was disappointing, the former University of Regina Rams safety refused to let that define his football journey.
Instead, the Regina product is now living out a childhood dream.
“It’s pretty cool because, you know, as a team, I grew up watching the Riders being raised in Regina,” Sombach said after practice. “So it’s just cool to be out on that field wearing the logo and being around all the guys and all the coaches. It’s been a super cool experience so far.”
The six-foot defensive back arrived at camp determined to treat the opportunity like any other football challenge.
“Football is football,” Sombach said. “I’m just trying to come out, play football, have fun, do what I know I can do, make sure I know the playbook, and I’m prepared for everything I need to do on the field.”
There were nerves early, but preparation helped settle him in. The Riders packed the opening days of camp with meetings, walkthroughs and film sessions, allowing rookies to familiarize themselves with the system before hitting the practice field.
“I feel like I came in today kind of knowing what I was doing, which was nice,” Sombach explained. “So I was able to just get in the groove, communicate with all the guys, like we’re starting to become a unit, which is nice.”
Sombach’s football roots run deep in Saskatchewan. He helped Miller Comprehensive High School win a provincial championship in 2018 before joining the Rams, where he developed into one of the top defensive backs in U SPORTS football. Last season, Sombach earned Canada West all-star and second-team All-Canadian honours after recording two interceptions, seven pass breakups and a historic 109-yard interception return touchdown, the longest interception return in University of Regina history.
Football has long been a family affair for the Sombachs. Carson grew up playing alongside his brothers, including former Rams defensive back Jackson Sombach, who now plays for the Calgary Stampeders. Their father coached them when they were young, and the family spent countless hours around football fields in Regina. That upbringing made this week’s experience even more meaningful.
“It’s the only jersey I really want to wear,” Sombach said. “I grew up watching the Riders from a very young age. So it was kind of cool being able to put the jersey on and practice with the team.”
Now, despite the disappointment of draft day, Sombach has a chance to continue proving himself with the hometown team he grew up supporting. And he plans to make the most of it.
“I’m lucky I got the opportunity to come to Regina,” Sombach said. “I’m going to make the most of that opportunity.”
