Draft
Round
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August 29, 2012

Riders add defensive trio; release two

CFL.ca Staff

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today they have signed import linebackers Joe Lobendahn and Diamond Ferri, as well as import defensive back Alonzo Lawrence.

Financial details of the agreements were not released.

Lobendahn originally entered the CFL in 2008 when he signed a free agent contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  A four year vetearn, he has appeared in 45 career games recording 180 defensive tackles, seven quarterback sacks and one interception. The Hawaii native most recently attended training camp with the Calgary Stampeders in 2012.
Ferri began his CFL career in 2007 with the Montreal Alouettes.  After temporarily joining the Toronto Argonauts practice roster in 2006, the University of Syracuse graduate signed with Montreal as a free agent in 2007 where he spent the next five seasons. A native of Stoneham, Massachusetts, Ferri appeared in 76 games for the Als, recording 240 defensive tackles, eight quarterback sacks and 5 interceptions while winning the Grey Cup in 2009 and 2010.

Lawrence joins the Riders after signing and attending training camp with the NFL’s Detroit Lions.  The Lucedale, Mississippi native attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for two seasons after transferring from Southern Mississippi. Prior to his time with the Golden Eagles, Lawrence spent his freshman season at the University of Alabama under the tutelage of head coach Nick Saban.

The Riders also announced they’ve released import receiver Efrem Hill and import running back Louis Rankin.