Tommy Stevens could also be listed at QB3 on the depth chart however his function within the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offence goes far past the normal backup function.
The brief yardage quarterback has grow to be one of many Roughriders’ most dependable weapons, a participant who brings a distinct ingredient each time he steps onto the sphere.
“He’s a tricky runner, he’s large, he’s robust, he’s additionally quick, however he’s a quarterback deep down proper, so he also can throw the ball. So there’s at all times the menace that we are able to drop again and cross to them, he can run it,” mentioned offensive co-ordinator Marc Mueller.
Generally known as “Tommy Time,” Stevens has embraced a job that requires preparation, persistence and execution. At six foot 4 and weighing 245 kilos, Stevens is a unit. He could not see the sphere for a complete drive, however when the riders want an important first down or to shut out a recreation, his quantity is usually referred to as.
“Nearer of the century for positive,” mentioned working again A.J. Ouellette. “I don’t know the way individuals assault him. Him carrying the ball, that’s a terrifying creature proper there. I’m simply frightened about getting back from this bye [week] and them telling me that Tommy took my job as a result of he’s a beast,” he added.
In 2025, Stevens was almost automated in these conditions. He transformed 33 of 36 short-yardage makes an attempt, a 91.7 per cent success fee, whereas dashing for 5 touchdowns. This season, that function is already increasing. Via six video games, Stevens already has 5 dashing touchdowns on 25 carries and greater than 100 yards on the bottom. His means to persistently transfer the chains makes him one of the crucial efficient short-yardage quarterbacks within the CFL.
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“Tommy is superior, I believe he’s secretly paying gamers within the locker room to get all the way down to the one-yard line ’trigger I’m telling you, I don’t know the way this retains figuring out for the man, however we’re extremely pleased to have him,” mentioned head coach Corey Mace.
“He’s large, he’s quick, he’s quicker than he ought to be for his dimension, and our offensive line loves it as a result of they realize it’s simply time they’re going to play nine-man containers and so they’re going to be downhill, and Tommy loves it,” added beginning quarterback Trevor Harris.
It’s a specialised function, nevertheless it’s one Saskatchewan has embraced and it’s paying off for each the Riders and Stevens.
“I at all times noticed it for myself, I assume,” mentioned Stevens. “I assumed that I used to be succesful, and didn’t actually get these alternatives earlier than, so it was type of my thought course of. I knew I had some left within the tank. I do know I didn’t get these alternatives elsewhere and it was welcomed right here with open arms and it’s type of a part of the plan, so actually pleased to benefit from it.”
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