Rams: Linebackers

For the first time in 42 straight games, Cameron Mah will not be in the lineup come Week 1 vs Calgary.

The standout linebacker graduated from the program this past year, finishing his career with 172 total tackles.

However, the rest of the starting linebacking core remains, with Chopper Hippe, Brandon Wong, and Colin McKellar all returning for 2025.

"We expect our linebacking group to be leaders on the defensive side of the ball," said linebacker coach Derek Lamer. "They should push to be one the best groups in Canada West."

Hippe – who hails from Lloydminster, SK – is heading into his 5^th and final season after participating in the 2025 CFL National Combine in May. He had a stellar 2024 campaign, finishing with 20 solo and 38 assisted tackles, as well as a blocked a field goal.

Wong was a unanimous Canada West All-Star at the sam linebacker position in 2024. The Port Coquitlam, BC native had 47 total tackles, an interception, and two pass breakups on the year.

McKellar stepped into the lineup after injuries early in the season and never looked back. The Simon Fraser University transfer finished with 57 total tackles, an interception, 2 pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 10 games played.

His performance earned him an invite to the 2025 East-West Bowl in Waterloo, where he finished with 2 solo tackles.

The experience doesn't end there.

Jaxon Runge enters his 5^th season on the team with 24 games played under his belt. Ryan Mills is set to play his 6^th year of post-secondary football, having played two seasons for the Regina Thunder prior to joining the Rams. Kaeden Brennan played in 10 games in 2024 after missing the entire 2023 campaign due to injury.

The linebacking core also has a strong contingent of players heading into their 2^nd-year of eligibility. Medicine Hat native Logan Wells has contributed on special teams in the past, and both Liam Labelle and Owen Zimmer played in multiple games last year straight out of high school.

Other returners include Alex Gagnon: who like McKellar joined the program after SFU's football program was disbanded, Ryan Makowsky: whose brother Nick Makowsky is an offensive lineman, and Andrew Stewart: the only player on the team who played high school football for F.W. Johnson Collegiate.
 
New Faces
There also numerous new faces to the group.

Mitchell Tanchak joins the team after playing four seasons with the Regina Thunder. He finished his CJFL career with 65 tackles in 38 games played and helped the Thunder become PFC champions in 2024.

Maddux Elson and Lachlan Bruce both join the team from BC high schools.

 Elson comes from Okanagan Mission Secondary in Kelowna, and was also a member of Team BC at the 2024 Football Canada Cup.

Bruce comes to Regina from Maple Ridge, and is now the fourth player on the roster from Terry Fox Secondary, joining Owen Sieben, Renzel Arinaza, and Russell Arinaza.

Finally, Ajay Ward is from Riffel High School, and was a member of Team Saskatchewan at the 2024 Football Canada Cup.