When Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. was named the Canadian Football League’s 2024 Most Outstanding Defensive Player, he could put a checkmark beside a goal in his notebook.
Milligan Jr. missed all but four weeks of the 2023 season after sustaining a foot injury that required surgery. He was initially hesitant about his recovery while facing the first operation of his career.
“Once I realized I’d be fine, it was about making sure that I started training to lock back in and be who I am,” Milligan Jr. said.
“I wrote it down in my notebook before the season even started that I wanted to be the Defensive Player of the Year. It’s always been a goal. I always felt like it was an obtainable goal, but you got to prove that and I proved it.”
The goal may have seemed lofty to outsiders who knew he was returning from an injury that kept him off his feet for weeks. Plus he was coming into a new defensive system under head coach Corey Mace. Milligan Jr. though, proved his commitment to his recovery and credits Mace’s defence for allowing him to flourish.
“He tries to unlock our strengths and elevate them. I've always been a ball guy, and [Mace], week-to-week, tells me: ‘You have to figure out how are you going to get the ball this week,’” Milligan Jr. said.
The 30-year-old cover man also credits Riders’ defensive pass game coordinator Josh Bell for his success.
“He challenges me every week: be who you are, lead these guys and be yourself,” Milligan Jr. said.
“Don't try to be other guys. Don't try to make somebody else's plays. Your play's going to come to you and then also go find some plays to make, too.”
Milligan Jr. did find plays to make setting career highs with 71 defensive tackles, 20 special teams tackles and eight interceptions. He is the third Roughrider to win the Most Outstanding Defensive Player award, joining Jerald Baylis 1993 and John Chick 2009.
“It was a surreal moment when they called my name. It feels great getting the recognition of all the work I put in.”
Milligan Jr. joins a small number of defensive backs — two — who have won the award. He hopes that will change in the future thanks to his win.
“I love seeing good DB play. The disrespect we get — it always feels good when a DB gets some recognition. I hope every year it's a DB at least on my team.”
As for 2025, Milligan Jr. is under contract for that season and aims to return to Saskatchewan hoping to fulfill the top goal in his notebook.
“It was Grey Cup first and then it was MODP.”
