'I'm still learning': Riders' Sterns making impact in second CFL season
Saskatchewan Roughriders’ receiver Jerreth Sterns is looking to excel in his first full season in the Canadian Football League [CFL] after suiting up for 11 games in 2023.
“I’m still learning. I’m a young guy in the league. So I’m learning from the guys who’ve been here awhile. Still putting things in my bag and watching guys,” Sterns said.
In his 11 games last season Sterns recorded 44 receptions for 449 yards and one touchdown. During training camp and heading into the season Sterns was seen primarily working with the ‘ones’, which solidified his spot as a starter in week one against Edmonton. After spending time with the National Football League’s [NFL] Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent and later the Los Angeles Rams on a reserve-future contact he approaches everything with cautious optimism.
“It was exciting. I mean a great opportunity [is] ahead of me. At the end of the day there’s going to be a lot of opportunities for all the receivers on this offence. So I’m just grateful for those and just going to continue to make the most of mine,” Sterns said.
In his Week 1 performance against the Elks, Sterns had a team high seven catches which resulted in 81 receiving yards and quarterback Trevor Harris, was quick to praise him after the game.
“Insane route runner. He’s very technical. He understands depth, he understands timing. He’s just so smooth. I call him ‘J-smooth’,” Harris joked to reporters. “He’s just one of those guys where you can count on him to win and he’s very difficult to defend because he makes all of his routes the same and we’re really fortunate to have him.”
Harris never had the opportunity to play with Sterns last season. He was taken out with a season ending injury before Sterns officially suited up with the Riders in August after signing with the team in July 2023. However, the two have already built chemistry on the field this season.
“I watched [him] a lot. I was hurt and I wasn’t just sitting at home. I was working hard and making sure that I was watching these guys. So if I had the opportunity to play with them, I would have a better understanding of who they were as receivers,” Harris said.
“Just a lot of training with him,” said Sterns about his connection with Harris. “Trevor got all the guys out here early. All the vets. We bonded through that. He does a good job of explaining what he wants out of the receivers on certain plays. So I try to do that and be where I’m supposed to be.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Killer who stabbed victim 'at least 52 times' dies in B.C. prison
A 72-year-old inmate serving a life sentence for a brutal murder that happened in Chilliwack in 2016 has died, according to the Correctional Service of Canada.
Israeli airstrikes hit the southern suburbs of Beirut after another strike destroyed buildings
The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah's headquarters in Beirut on Friday in a series of massive explosions that targeted the leader of the militant group and levelled multiple high-rise apartment buildings.
American woman gets SUV stuck in elevator bay at B.C. casino
A U.S. driver somehow squeezed her vehicle through a parkade hallway at a Metro Vancouver casino Thursday, before getting stuck at an elevator bank.
Hurricane Helene kills at least 44 and cuts a swath of destruction across the Southeast
Hurricane Helene left an enormous path of destruction across Florida and the southeastern U.S. on Friday, killing at least 44 people, snapping towering oaks like twigs and tearing apart homes as rescue crews launched desperate missions to save people from floodwaters.
After decades-long search, northern Ontario man finds vintage vehicle in Larder Lake
A tale about a taxicab hauling gold and sinking through the ice on Larder Lake, Ont., in December 1937 has captivated a man from that town for decades.
2 people caught illegally crossing the International Railroad Bridge into the U.S.: border officials
Two Italian citizens have been apprehended after allegedly illegally crossing over the International Railroad Bridge to the United States.
Former military reservist sentenced for shotgun video calling Liberal MP a 'communist agent' for China
A former Canadian military reservist has been sentenced to house arrest after posting a video of himself firing a shotgun at a picture of a member of Parliament whom he accused of being a 'communist agent' for China.
P.E.I. shellfish festival gastrointestinal illness outbreak largest in province's history: health officer
More than 550 symptomatic people responded to an online questionnaire about a gastrointestinal illness at a Prince Edward Island shellfish festival last weekend.
Family of man who died in incident involving Calgary police issues statement
The family of Jon Wells, a man who died in an incident involving Calgary police earlier this month, say they are seeking time to grieve their loss.