SEARCY – Former Harding football players Kurt Adams, Rene Stephan and Eddie Russ each made the opening game rosters for teams in the Canadian Football League.

Adams and Stephan made the roster of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Russ returns for his second season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Adams, a native of Searcy, Ark., and a wide receiver at Harding from 2006-10, signed with the Blue Bombers last September and finished the season on the practice squad. In Winnipeg's second preseason game, Adams had five receptions for 82 yards and a 30-yard touchdown reception. He had a school-record 29 touchdown receptions in his career at Harding.

Stephan, who was born in St. Catharine's, Ontario, played linebacker at Harding in 2009 after transferring from De Anza College. He was drafted by Winnipeg with the 23rd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2012 CFL Draft.

Russ, a defensive back born in Marianna, Fla., played in four games with two starts last season for the Roughriders. He had five defensive tackles and two special teams tackles. Russ had 70 tackles and six interceptions during his two seasons at Harding in 2009-10.

Both Winnipeg and Saskatchewan begin the regular season on Friday, June 29. Saskatchewan plays on the road against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at 6 p.m. CT, and Winnipeg is at the B.C. Lions at 9 p.m. CT. Both games will air live on ESPN3.com.