REGINA, Saskatchewan – Gardner-Webb graduate Chad Geter is fulfilling his dream of playing professional football, catching on with the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2018.
 
Geter (Irmo, S.C. / Dutch Fork HS) graduated from Gardner-Webb in May, 2016, and earned FCS All-America honors as a linebacker during the 2016 fall campaign. After an injury derailed an NFL mini camp invitation in 2017, Geter spent this past season as a graduate assistant coach with the Runnin' Bulldogs.
 
He earned a training camp invitation from the Roughriders following a tryout in Florida and was impressive enough at a new position – defensive end – that he earned a roster spot for the 2018 regular season.
 
The 6-foot-2, 253-pounder has earned playing time in each of the Roughriders first two games, collecting five total tackles to date – logging snaps at end and on special teams.
 
He made his professional debut on June 15 against the Toronto Argonauts and posted a pair of special teams hits. Geter followed with a strong performance against the Ottawa RedBlacks on June 21, picking up two tackles on defense to go with another special teams stop.
 
Geter was runner up for the 2016 Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Year award during his final season at Gardner-Webb, and was a three-time All-Big South selection at linebacker. He was named FCS All-America by STATS, The Associated Press, The AFCA and Hero Sports following his final season.
 
Geter posted 118 total tackles (67 solo) in 2016, ranking in the top-15 nationally in tackles and solo tackles. Against top-25 opponents, Geter averaged a strong 12.3 stops per game.
 
He was also one of 25 finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is given annually to the top defensive player in the subdivision.
 
The 2016 season wasn't a flash in the pan, as Geter finished his career with 345 total tackles – which ranks No. 7 in Big South Conference history and No. 9 in Gardner-Webb history. His total tackles rank first during Gardner-Webb's Division I era, which dates back to the 2000 season.
 
The Roughriders host the Montreal Alouettes in their next game on Saturday, June 30.