C.J. Reavis and Rolan Milligan Jr. are all-stars who appraise each other as all-world.
“Before every game, at some point before we actually take the field, he’s in my ear,” Milligan Jr. says. “He keeps telling me over and over, ‘You’re the best in the world.’
“He’s the only one who does it — just over and over and over. He expects me to be the best in the world, so I don’t want to let him down.”
No such worries.
Milligan Jr., who had a CFL-best eight interceptions during the 2024 regular season, has been named the West Division’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
He is also a recent All-CFL divisional selection, having been recognized as a defensive halfback and special teams player. Seven other Saskatchewan players, including Reavis at cover linebacker, made the division’s dream team.
Reavis and Milligan Jr., on their own, make quite a tandem.
“He tells me to bring the juice and do what I do best and that’s play fast, run to the ball, be physical and make plays,” Reavis says. “I think we just feed off each other.”
While dining out on opposing offences, Reavis and Milligan Jr. both have enjoyed career seasons in the CFL.
Reavis registered a team-high 89 defensive tackles — fifth-best in the league — and four sacks in 17 regular-season games. He was sixth in the CFL in total defensive plays (106), one spot below Milligan Jr. (111).
“With their playmaking ability, they both had unbelievable seasons,” Head Coach Corey Mace says.
“In general, the DB room is a tight-knit group. If one guy makes a play, everybody is looking to make theirs and get in on the party. It’s awesome to see and we’re happy that those two guys are a part of it.”
Although Reavis made the All-CFL team as a cover linebacker, his responsibilities are essentially those of a defensive back.
“He’s sitting in there in all the DB meetings,” Mace notes. “He’s a DB first.
“In our defence at that position, you’ve got to be able to do a little bit of everything. He has proven to be able to do that.
“He has had an outstanding year and I know he’s just itching to keep doing what he has been doing.”
Reavis and Milligan Jr. each had four defensive tackles as Saskatchewan defeated the visiting B.C. Lions 28-19 this past weekend in the Western Semi-Final.
Milligan Jr. added the Roughriders’ third interception of the day as the Green and White advanced to Saturday’s Western Final against the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5:30 p.m., TSN, CKRM).
With the most important game of the season drawing closer, Reavis is being counted on to be a catalyst.
“From an energy standpoint, Reav kind of sets the tone and gets everybody going,” Mace says.
Reavis is certainly a source of motivation for Milligan Jr.
“He has been my guy ever since I got here,” says Reavis, a third-year Roughrider. “In my rookie year, I just noticed that he was a guy I could relate to.
“He played in the NFL, he’s a hard worker, and he’s a really talented guy. He just does all the right things. That’s what I want to model myself after.”
Milligan Jr. joined the Roughriders near the end of the 2021 season after spending time in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys (2016), Detroit Lions (2017 and 2018) and Indianapolis Colts (2018 to 2020).
Reavis also has NFL experience, acquired with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2018) and Atlanta Falcons (2019, 2020).
The two players have much more in common.
They have both suited up as a linebacker and defensive back with the Roughriders.
As well, each of them has rebounded from adversity in robust fashion.
Milligan Jr. was named the Roughriders’ Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player after a toe injury ended his 2023 season in its fourth game.
Reavis has emerged as a cornerstone player after recovering from two Achilles tendon injuries he sustained within a six-month period in 2022.
“Just seeing how much work he has put in up to this point, from the two Achilles a few years ago to splitting reps last year, I have to talk to him to keep him grounded,” Milligan Jr. says.
“He’s very passionate, so I try to keep him locked in and focus on, ‘Once you get an opportunity, take advantage of the opportunity.’ That was my big message for him.
“Me and him are going back and forth with those two messages for each other.”
Those messages were fully, gratefully absorbed by Reavis.
“When I was splitting reps last year, he always told me to lock in,” Reavis says. “He said, ‘Your time is coming. When your time comes, go out there and make plays.’
“He got me to the point where I am now.”
