Roughriders’ Sterns looking to catch on in CFL

Jerreth Sterns just wanted an opportunity.

In 2021, Sterns was one of the most productive receivers in the NCAA as a member of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, leading the NCAA in receiving yards (1,902) and catches (150) and tying for the lead with 17 touchdowns in 14 games.

But after going undrafted in the NFL and with a couple of training camp invites come and gone, Sterns was just waiting at home for a chance.

That chance came just a couple of days before his 24th birthday this year when the Saskatchewan Roughriders reached out to his camp.

“My agent just called me and said, ‘Do you want to go to Canada?’ I said, ‘Of course,’ ” Sterns said. “I flew in here on my birthday.”

He’s to suit up for his second CFL game Friday, when the Riders take on the host Montreal Alouettes. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m.

For the Waxahachie, Texas product, his interest in football piqued when he saw Reggie Bush playing on the television.

“I turned on the TV and saw him playing and ever since then, I loved football,” Sterns said.

Sterns started playing football in grade school but didn’t start as a pass catcher.

“I grew up playing quarterback but then I didn’t grow much so I made the transition my senior year to a running back/defensive back,” Sterns said.

He didn’t make the switch to receiver until his freshman year of college at Houston Baptist, where he linked up with quarterback Bailey Zappe for the first time.

“I had great coaching and a great coaching staff,” Sterns said. “I just had great help along the way.”

While he has produced at every level he has played at, Sterns has often had people questioning his abilities due to his height; he’s listed at 5-foot-9 on the CFL website.

But he has never viewed himself as a small receiver.

“I don’t even notice that I’m a smaller guy out there,” Sterns said. “I just play like any other guy would, I feel like. I have the mindset I’m the same size as every other guy out there.”

After three years at Houston Baptist, both Sterns and Zappe transferred to Western Kentucky.

“Zappe has been my dude. He was my only quarterback throughout my whole college career,” Sterns said. “He’s still one of my closest friends to this day.”

Sterns also claims the two didn’t originally have plans to transfer to the same school.

“Once we both hit the portal, (Western Kentucky) offered (scholarships to) both of us and my little brother,” Sterns said. “We kind of talked him into it but he made the right decision.”

Once there, Zappe and Sterns would lead a prolific passing attack that led to the receiver’s eye-popping numbers.

But Sterns believes he was just part of the machine.

“We had other receivers putting up big numbers. We had some dudes around me,” Sterns said. “I was just one piece of the puzzle.”

Despite his big senior season, Sterns wasn’t selected in the 2022 NFL draft.

“There are a lot of factors that go into getting drafted, not just production. Athleticism, size — all that stuff matters,” Sterns said. “I wasn’t worried if I was drafted or not, I just wanted an opportunity to play at the next level.”

Sterns got that chance when he was invited to attend training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“It was cool. Growing up playing football, you want to put on an NFL helmet,” Sterns said. “I was excited but I’m grateful to be here now.”

Sterns was signed to a futures contract by the Los Angeles Rams but was eventually released. His next opportunity came with Saskatchewan when he joined the team in early July.

“The first CFL game I saw was in person – I had never watched one before,” Sterns said. “There were a lot of rules that I had to learn and didn’t know about.”

It hasn’t taken him long to make an impact, with Sterns making seven catches for 71 yards in his season debut last week in the Riders’ 26-24 win over the Ottawa Redblacks.

“I feel like I did solid but I feel there are a lot of things I can improve on,” Sterns said. “I hope I can get better week after week.”

Now that he’s been given the opportunity, Sterns wants to show the team was right in giving him a chance.

“You’re hoping you get the call and I’m grateful I did,” Sterns said. “I’m just hoping to make the most of it.”