The Saskatchewan Roughriders have selected Bowling Green defensive lineman Ali Saad with the team's first round, fourth overall pick in the 2025 CFL Draft.
The six-foot-three, 280-pound Saad played four seasons (2021-2024) at Bowling Green, suiting up in 44 games for the Falcons. The Windsor, ON native had a strong 2024 season, starting in all 13 games as a senior and setting collegiate career highs in tackles (40), tackles for loss (9) and sacks (5), while also posting 16 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and blocking one kick.
Saad totalled 78 defensive tackles, 14 tackles for a loss of 72 yards, six sacks, four forced fumbles and one blocked kick over his time at Bowling Green. He also earned 2024 academic All-MAC.
Prior to Bowling Green, Saad spent his redshirt freshman season at the University of Minnesota.
