Antoine Brooks Jr. is making his voice, and play, heard at Riders training camp

Scott Larson · CBC News

· Posted: May 09, 2025 5:12 PM EDT | Last Updated: 5 minutes ago

It's casual to spot Antoine Brooks Jr. at the Saskatchewan Roughriders rookie camp.

No. 33 is 1 of the most vocal players retired connected the field, but the antiaircraft backmost is besides making a splash with his play.

"My teammates [have] been telling maine each time that my bully tone is really getting them to support going," Brooks said.

"I person amusive each day. My beingness is large … I'm conscionable enjoying each spot of it."

Brooks spent past twelvemonth connected the signifier roster and says it gave him the clip to survey the nuances of the CFL game.

"I was really conscionable enjoying and trying to larn the playbook and marque sure, you know, that I'm ready for this year," helium said.

"I cognize the 12-man crippled now. The defence is really going by dilatory to maine present [and I'm] actually having amusive with it."

Head manager Corey Mace praised Brooks's versatility successful being capable to play multiple defensive positions.

"From the schematic standpoint, to beryllium capable to person guys that tin determination astir a small bit, you know, it's bully for disguising and worldly similar that defensively, and past besides offensively getting guys retired of jams," Mace said.

"And of course, peculiar teams. The much positions you tin play if injuries happen or whatever, you tin get america retired of a jam."

Brooks has had to beryllium versatile successful his shot career.

He was a star quarterback astatine DuVal High School successful Lanham, Md., portion besides playing connected the antiaircraft broadside of the ball.

But aft helium fractured an ankle and broke his wrist during his elder year, Brooks needed to ore connected his antiaircraft skills.

"I switched to linebacker successful assemblage and that's erstwhile I played nickel[back]," Brooks said.

He went connected to play 4 seasons astatine the University of Maryland, earning three All-Big 10 selections. 

Brooks was drafted by the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers. After 4 games with the Steelers, helium signed with the Los Angeles Rams, playing 8 games and earning a Super Bowl ringing erstwhile the Rams won successful 2021.

"Football is my life. I've being playing shot a agelong time," Brooks said. "Wherever manager needs me, they enactment maine close there."

Players person Saturday off, past main campy starts Sunday astatine Griffiths Stadium successful Saskatoon.