BURSTAbbotsford’s Nelson Lokombo can now call himself a Grey Cup champion.
The 2017 W.J. Mouat Secondary grad helped the Saskatchewan Roughriders capture their fifth championship with a 25-17 win over the Montreal Alouettes in Winnipeg on Sunday (Nov. 16).
Lokombo played in 11 regular season games for Saskatchewan in 2025 but missed seven games with an ankle injury suffered in late-August. He returned to the club on Oct. 25 and played in both Roughriders playoff games earlier this month.
He recorded 11 tackles for the season and grabbed his first career CFL interception against the BC Lions on Oct. 25.
Lokombo played his first three seasons as a defensive back for Saskatchewan, but then transitioned into the free safety role this season.
“They thought I was a better fit at safety, so they moved me there,” Lokombo told the Roughriders website in August. “I just worked on that. Every day was a learning process. As I’ve gone on, I’ve obviously gotten more comfortable. It’s fun to be out there with the guys and being able to make plays. I’m very grateful to be a part of this team.”
(@cfl)Lokombo signed a contract extension with the Roughriders in January, but it’s believed that he will be a free agent in 2026.
He was drafted second overall in the 2021 CFL Draft after a spectacular career with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies that saw him with the U Sports Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2019. Lokombo also earned Canada West’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player and was named both a Canada West All-Star and a U Sports First-Team All-Canadian that season.
He also captured the Hardy Cup with the Huskies in 2017. Prior to his time with the Huskies he was a star player on the Mouat Hawks and his Grade 12 season in 2016 saw him pick up 490 yards rushing and four touchdowns. He also picked up six tackles and one interception on defence.
He is the younger brother of retired CFL star and former BC Lions linebacker Boseko Lokombo.
The Roughriders have a busy week of celebration ahead and are scheduled to have a Grey Cup parade in Regina on Tuesday (Nov. 18).
For more on the team’s win, visit riderville.com.