The Saskatchewan Roughriders have recently signed American wide receiver Freddie Swain, a former player for the Seattle Seahawks. Swain, who stands six feet tall and weighs 199 pounds, was initially drafted by Seattle in the sixth round, 214th overall, in the 2020 NFL Draft. Over two seasons with the Seahawks, from 2020 to 2021, he appeared in 33 games, including nine starts, catching 38 passes for 502 yards and scoring six touchdowns. This move marks a new chapter in Swain’s professional football career.
Swain’s NFL Journey and College Background
Originating from Ocala, Florida, Swain played in four games during the 2022 NFL season, spending time with the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos. In 2023, he joined both the Dolphins and the Philadelphia Eagles before signing with the Chicago Bears in 2024. Throughout his NFL tenure, the University of Florida alumnus has earned over $3.5 million USD. In college, Swain was a key player for the Gators across four seasons, recording 68 receptions for 996 yards and 15 touchdowns in 47 games. His senior year was particularly productive, as he secured 38 receptions for 517 yards and scored seven touchdowns. Notably, Swain also scored an 85-yard punt return touchdown against Colorado State in 2018, tying for the second-longest punt-return touchdown in Florida Gators history.
Additional Signings to Strengthen the Roughriders’ Offensive Roster
Alongside Swain, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have added two other American players: wide receiver Juwann Winfree and running back Peny Boone. Winfree, who stands six-foot-one and weighs 210 pounds, was picked by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round, 187th overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft. His professional career includes appearances with the Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, and a stint with the Houston Texans in 2025. Winfree has participated in 23 regular season games and recorded nine receptions for 75 yards.
Juwann Winfree’s College and Professional Career Overview
Before turning professional, Winfree played college football at the University of Colorado from 2016 to 2018, appearing in 20 games. He totaled 649 receiving yards on 49 receptions with four touchdowns. Prior to Colorado, he played at Coffeyville Community College in 2015 and the University of Maryland in 2014, broadening his collegiate experience across different programs.
Peny Boone’s Path to the Roughriders
Peny Boone, a six-foot-one, 232-pound running back from Michigan, spent part of the 2025 season on the Toronto Argonauts’ practice roster. He finished his college career at the University of Central Florida, where he played in seven games and amassed 208 rushing yards with two touchdowns. Boone’s earlier collegiate years were at the University of Toledo (2022-2023), where he emerged as one of the NCAA’s top running backs, earning the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2023. That season, he rushed for 1,400 yards—ranking eighth nationally—and scored 15 touchdowns, placing him 11th. He averaged 7.2 yards per carry and 107.7 yards per game during that time, totaling 1,849 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns over 26 games. Boone began his collegiate career at the University of Maryland from 2020 to 2022, where he played 14 games and gained 258 rushing yards with two touchdowns.
Implications of These Signings for the Roughriders
The addition of Freddie Swain, alongside Juwann Winfree and Peny Boone, strengthens the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ depth and versatility on offense. Swain’s experience as a receiver and punt returner, combined with Winfree’s professional exposure and Boone’s dynamic rushing ability, provide the Roughriders with varied offensive options. These acquisitions signal the team’s intention to bolster their competitive edge, leveraging the skills and experience of players who have competed at high levels in both collegiate and NFL environments. As the Roughriders integrate these new talents, fans and analysts will watch to see how these players adapt to the Canadian game and contribute to the team’s success in upcoming seasons.
