Riders’ Sterns looking to make big contributions in 2nd season

Jerreth Sterns is looking to become more of a target in his second CFL season.

The Waxahachie, Texas, product came into training camp this season as a projected starter after earning his way into the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ starting lineup last season.

“It’s just a blessing to be here. It’s a great opportunity ahead of us and excited to get the win in Week 1,” Sterns said. “I wouldn’t say my mindset has changed. I’ve always had a be-ready mindset and I guess it was a more secure feeling this offseason knowing I’m going to get to do training camp and everything with the guys this year.”

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, he made his way to the CFL.

The now 24-year-old pass-catcher joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders on July 3, 2023, and just over a month later, the slotback appeared in his first CFL game.

He finished his first CFL season with 449 yards and a touchdown in 11 games.

With Sterns able to prepare for a pro camp instead of waiting for an opportunity, he made sure to get his body ready for the gruelling CFL season.

“I feel good. I trained for this all offseason – I lifted a lot of weights and do things like that. A lot of stretching to prepare for this long season,” Sterns said.

That also means preparing for the physicality that comes with the sport.

“You can’t run from it, you can’t hide from it. Even though I’m a shorter guy, I’m a little thicker,” Sterns said.

This season, Sterns also had to build chemistry with quarterback Trevor Harris.

Harris was injured on July 15 last season, ending his year. That injury came before Sterns was able to carve out a spot with the starters.

“I just like to see how he thinks and what he’s thinking presnap and his approach to the game. It’s a lot different. He has been around for a long time and he’s a smart dude and he sees it real well. If you can see what he sees, it makes it a lot easier for us to know where you need to be and when you need to be there,” Sterns said.

That connection appears to be off to a good start, with Sterns being targeted 10 times, hauling in seven of them for 81 yards in the team’s Week 1 29-21 win over the Edmonton Elks.

“I think he knows I’m a smarter guy and a majority of the time I’m going to do my job,” Sterns said.

Harris praised the young pass-catcher for his route running, which led to a solid start in Week 1.

“He’s just so smooth – we call him J-Smooth. He is just one of those guys you can count on him to win,” Harris said. “He’s very difficult to defend because he makes all of his routes look the same.”

Harris said that while he was hurt last season, he watched a lot of tape, and Sterns’ play stood out to him.

“We’ve got some guys,” Harris said.

In his second season, he has taken on more of a leadership role with rookie receiver Ajou Ajou pointing out Sterns as someone who has offered advice.

“It means a lot. That dude has all the potential in the world if he can take care of his body and get his mind right. I tell him that every day. During training camp, I was making him get in the ice bath and things like that,” Sterns said.

But that doesn’t mean he thinks he’s a veteran in the league.

“I’m still a younger guy in year two. There’s some guys who have been around a lot longer than me so I still look up to those guys and ask questions — Guys like Trevor (Harris) who have been in the league forever. I’m still learning a lot but I do carry myself like a veteran for sure,” Sterns said.

Along with Sterns, the Riders’ offence has Shawn Bane Jr. and Sam Emilus – both of whom reached over 1,000 receiving yards last season – along with a healthy Kian Schaffer-Baker this season.

That has Sterns excited about the heights this offence could reach.

“The sky is the limit. You just look at the depth we have … No matter what happens this season, I think we have so much depth and so much talent that the sky is the limit for us,” Sterns said.

The offence will once again be on display in Week 2 against the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m.