After five years as a Huskies safety, Bryce McCall got the call to sign with the Riders.

Huskies football player Bryce McCall got an early Christmas present Dec. 19 when he became the latest Huskie to sign with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Roughriders management first contacted McCall’s agent in late November, only four weeks after McCall finished his final university game, to express their interest in signing the six-foot safety. Three weeks later the two sides came to an agreement and McCall inked a free agent contract that will guarantee him a trip to Riders spring training camp.

“It’s incredibly exciting and I can’t wait to get started,” McCall said.

The Regina native grew up cheering for the green and white, and now gets the chance to play on his favourite CFL team.

“To have the opportunity to continue playing football has been a dream, and especially for the Riders. As a kid I went to games and grew up on the playground pretending to be the Roughriders.”

The Roughriders picked up two more Saskatchewan products along with McCall. Ryan Wellman and Kolten Solomon, both of whom spent last season with the Regina Rams, also signed free agent contracts.

While the players could not release any financial details, the free agent contracts give the Riders rights to the newly-acquired players unless the team decides to cut or release them from the squad.

McCall isn’t too concerned about the financial aspect, though, and says the money is secondary to the opportunity of fulfilling his dream ­— playing professional football.

“First and foremost I’m trying to make the team. Any amount of money that you get to play football is above and beyond,” McCall said.

He acknowledged that signing was only possible because of his time with the Huskies football club. He said the coaching staff and training program were vital in helping him reach his potential.

“My time with the Huskies was unbelievable and I can’t thank the program and [head coach] Brian Towriss enough,” he said. “I am incredibly thankful for everything the Huskies have done and so grateful for the program. Playing five years there was very special to me and, when it comes down to it, I will always be a Huskie.”

For now the newest member of Saskatchewan’s only professional sports team says he will focus on getting ready to prove to the Riders coaching staff that he deserves a spot on the roster.

“There is going to be a lot of competition just to make the team,” McCall said. “It’s just a matter of going out there and coming in prepared and in shape and showing the coaches what you can do and hopefully they see something they like.”

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Photo: Raisa Pezderic/The Sheaf