Former Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Dohnte Meyers has officially made the Cincinnati Bengals’ 53-man roster. He learned the news Sunday after receiving a call from Bengals receivers coach Troy Walters. Meyers called it the best phone call he’s ever received. “Number one for sure,” he told reporters in Cincinnati Sunday. “I did a group facetime family call; my mom was on there, my dad, my siblings — everybody got the news at the same time.” The 26-year-old’s story is taking the NFL by storm. Beginning as a zero-star recruit to college, Meyers signed at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina — a division III school, where he spent two seasons with the Blue Hose. He then entered the NCAA’s transfer portal and moved to Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. In two seasons at Delta State, Meyers tallied 1,542 yards and 13 touchdowns. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, he attended the Atlanta Falcons’ mini-camp but did not earn a roster spot there. However, his dream of playing professional football was far from over. Spending his days delivering for Uber Eats and DoorDash in Atlanta, Georgia, Meyers learned of an open try-out for the Roughriders in his hometown. After a good showing, Saskatchewan offered him a contract where he joined the team ahead of the 2024 season. He enjoyed his best season as a member of the Riders in 2025, logging 65 receptions for 1,056 yards and eight touchdown grabs. Meyers was named a West Division All-Star and helped the Riders earn their fifth Grey Cup championship in team history. It was that performance which earned him the opportunity to join the Bengals. “I started crying first,” Meyers said about his phone call with his family. “I just told them, ‘We did it. What we dreamed of is here.” “We just enjoyed it. They said their spiel, they started crying and I started crying, but it was nice,” Meyers added. In three preseason games, Meyers hauled in 11 catches for 121 yards while rushing twice for 22 yards and adding 99 return yards. Meyers also received some reps with the starting unit and has received praise for his work ethic from Bengals starting quarterback Joe Burrow. The 26-year-old will join a talent-laden receivers room with the likes of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. “I felt [Cincinnati] was a great opportunity and they just aligned with where I wanted to be in my life and where I want to go. It was a clear decision for me,” he said. “I was put in multiple positions and I was able to play football … being out there – whether it was catching punts, blocking – just playing football, a game I love." On Wednesday, Riders head coach Corey Mace said he is following Meyers’ NFL journey closely. “You love it for the kid. Just any of those guys who get opportunities down south, you do, you really do cheer for them. I just love that people get to see what we saw but just credit to him and his work ethic,” Mace said. Meyers wants his story of perseverance to be the model other overlooked players coming out of high school can look to. “I want people to be inspired and to be encouraged,” he said. “When we play this game, people draw a lot of inspiration from this game. We learn a lot through this game and I feel like you can use my story — and other people who are in this locker room that have stories — to be inspired.” “We play this game out of love and we want to spread that love. Love conquers all so if you love your dream, you can see somebody you want to emulate and look up to — that’s something good [I] can be a part of,” Meyers added. The Bengals kickoff their regular season Sunday, Sept. 13 at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
