'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
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6934695.1718908201!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Canadian acting legend Donald Sutherland dies at 88, son Kiefer says
Donald Sutherland, the New Brunswick-born acting legend with the distinct baritone voice and prolific stage and screen career that inspired sons Kiefer and Rossif to pursue the craft, has died.
Islamic holiday celebration in Montreal park draws ire from secularists
Images shared on social media of Muslims praying together in a Montreal park have sparked controversy in the province. Members of the city's Muslim community gathered earlier this week to celebrate Eid al-Adha, a holiday to mark the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
Former Ont. fire captain pleads guilty in wife's murder case
A former fire captain and father of two accused of killing his wife pleaded guilty on Thursday to second-degree murder.
Northern Ont. neighbourhood evacuated after live explosive devices from the Second World War found
There were some tense moments in northern Ontario on Wednesday after several Second World War-era explosive devices were found earlier this week.
Vitamix recalls almost 570,000 blender parts
Parts of a pricey blender that can cost up to US$990 can cause deep cuts, Vitamix announced in an expanded recall Thursday — but don’t expect a refund.
Skyrocketing rent: Some Canadians saying goodbye to half their paycheque
A significant number of Canadian renters are spending more than half their paycheque putting a roof over their head, according to a new Royal LePage report.
'Supreme excellence': Trudeau, Hollywood stars honour famed Canadian actor Donald Sutherland
Family, Hollywood peers and other famous fans paid tribute to Donald Sutherland Thursday afternoon following news of his death, lauding the Canadian actor as a screen legend and a brilliant artist.
OPINION Before he made it on stage or in film, Donald Sutherland got his start in local radio
Donald Sutherland, who died at the age of 88, will be remembered for his prodigious acting talent. But as film critic Richard Crouse notes, a lesser known yet inspiring part of Sutherland's career is the time he spent at a local radio station in Nova Scotia.
New Canadian citizenship rules for those born abroad could be delayed until December
An unknown number of young people born abroad to Canadian parents could wait until at least December to be eligible for citizenship.