C.J. Reavis was decorated in 2024 as an All-CFL cover linebacker.
He is listed as a defensive back on the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ website.
“I try to also tell people that I’m a defensive lineman,” the always-easygoing Reavis said after Wednesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium. “I sometimes line up as a defensive end.
“I play everything, literally.”
Reavis has occupied one of the flanks in situations that generally call for beefier players — a description that does not fit this 6-foot-0, 198-pounder.
“Look at some of our ‘big’ packages, when we’re heavy,” he said. “If they go with double fullbacks or double tight ends or whatever, I get to get on the line and I play defensive end, basically,” Reavis said.
“There are a lot of coverages like that where I come down and play defensive end.
“It gives me a great opportunity to show my abilities and do a lot of different things.”
As a key member of the 8-1 Roughriders, Reavis has 35 defensive tackles, one interception and two sacks. His first sack of the season was registered after he lined up as an end.
“I feel good,” he said. “I feel like we’re playing well as a team and, individually, the game is slowing down for me even more this year.
“I feel like I’m trying to get the ball more. I feel like I’m playing better in the pass game than I was last year, so I feel like I’m getting better.
“I just haven’t hit my ceiling yet.”
Principally, Reavis is a hybrid of a strong-side linebacker and a defensive back, depending on what is required on a particular play or against a certain opponent.
“You’ve got to be a Jack of all trades when you play that position in this league,” Head Coach and Defensive Co-ordinator Corey Mace said.
“Certainly, he can make plays around the box in the run game. He can get after the quarterback. In the passing game, he has made some plays as well, with big hits and tips and an interception.
“He’s able to do a lot of things. You’ve got to be a ballplayer to play that position and he’s certainly that.”
The All-CFL voters took notice in 2024 after Reavis registered a team-high 89 defensive tackles along with five tackles for a loss and four sacks.
In 2023, Reavis was second on the team in tackles (59) in addition to recording five tackles for a loss, three sacks and an interception.
“He always brings energy,” Mace said. “The guy loves the game of football. He loves his team and he loves his teammates.
“He is constantly willing to compete and do whatever is asked to help his team succeed. His mental makeup is exactly what you want in the locker room.
“On top of all of that, he’s a hell of a player.”
Reavis and the Roughriders are to return to action on Saturday against the host Calgary Stampeders (5 p.m., TSN, CKRM).
FAIR BALL
The Roughriders announced the signing of Campbell Fair on Wednesday, when he joined fellow placekicker Brett Lauther on the practice field.
Fair had spent nearly a month on the Roughriders’ practice roster in 2023.
“You bring in guys all year,” Mace said. “Certainly, having another (kicker) in the building is good. I think it’s good for Campbell. It’s good for Brett. They already have a previous relationship as well.
“As an organization, we’re going to look at everything. That’s not saying anything other than we’ve got another guy on the roster.
“We’ll see how it all plays out, but you guys (in the media) know how I feel about Brett.”
Lauther has made 22 of 33 field-goal attempts this season. The percentage of 66.7 is uncharacteristic for someone who has made 82 per cent of his attempts since becoming the Roughriders’ full-time placekicker in 2018.
He is coming off a 2-for-5 game in Saturday’s 29-9 home-field victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. One of the field goals, a 59-yarder, was the third-longest in Roughriders history.
Fair was selected by Calgary in the sixth round (51st overall) of the 2023 CFL Draft. He attended training camp with the Stampeders that year.
After spending time on Edmonton’s practice roster last fall, he attended the Elks’ training camp in 2025.
At the University of Ottawa in 2022, Fair set a school record by kicking a 55-yard field goal — a game winner, to boot.
