Ali Saad Selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2025 CFL Draft
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green defensive lineman Ali Saad (Windsor, Ont.) was selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders during Tuesday's first round of the 2025 Canadian Football League Draft. Saad was the fourth overall pick. He becomes BGSU's first CFL draft selection since offensive lineman Ryan Hunter was taken in the first round of the 2018 CFL Draft by the Toronto Argonauts.
Saad is the highest CFL Draft pick straight out of Bowling Green. David Azzi played quarterback at BGSU under former head coach Urban Meyer but later transferred to the University of Ottawa and was drafted third overall in the 2004 CFL Draft.
Saad, who began his collegiate career at Minnesota in 2020, appeared in 44 career games for the Falcons from 2021 to 2024. He started the final 26 games of his career, anchoring a consistently strong defensive line for BGSU. His senior season in 2024 was his most productive, as he posted career highs in tackles (40), tackles for loss (9.0), and sacks (4.5). He also forced two fumbles and blocked a field goal against NIU.
An Academic All-MAC selection in 2024, Saad finishes his BGSU career with 78 tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, and four forced fumbles. He was a key contributor to a Falcon program that earned three consecutive bowl appearances during his tenure.
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