Quarterback Graham Harrell set a host of Texas Tech records. (LM Otero/Associatedd Press)

The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed quarterback Graham Harrell, the all-time NCAA-Division IA touchdown leader, to a contract on Thursday.

Playing under the spread offence of coach Mike Leach at Texas Tech, Harrell threw 134 touchdowns in his collegiate career, topping the record previously held by Colt Brennan at the University of Hawaii.

He also holds the NCAA record for completions in a season (512), set in 2007, and is the only quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards twice in a college career.

Harrell finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting as top college player in 2008, a season marked by a last-second win Nov. 1 over main rival Texas, the top-ranked team in the U.S. at the time.

The six-foot-two Harrell set the career touchdown mark in the Cotton Bowl in January, but also threw two critical interceptions and fumbled in his team's loss to Ole Miss.

The Cotton Bowl performance and concerns from scouts he was more suited for the college-style offence employed at Tech led to him not being drafted by NFL teams in April. He later tried out for the Cleveland Browns, but was not signed.

Saskatchewan is 2-0 with starter Darian Durant. Quarterbacks Steven Jyles and Dalton Bell are also on the roster, with Cole Bergquist on the practice roster.

The 24-year-old Harrell will know at least one member of his new Canadian Football League club. Rookie returner Eric Morris was a Texas Tech teammate.