SASKATOON — Just as I finished Hoovering a 14th serving of Beef Stroganoff, there was activity at a nearby dinner table.
Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris, having finished his meal, walked over to a couple of newcomers.
“I’m Trevor,” he said, shaking hands with them.
At this time of year, the nameplates would be better situated on the front of the jerseys.
Individually, or in small groups, prospects arrive at the University of Saskatchewan in advance of rookie camp, which is to begin Wednesday morning at Griffiths Stadium.
After three days of rookie-oriented workouts, the 2026 Roughriders will gather for the first time as a group on Saturday. Coors Light Riders Training Camp — the main course — will begin the following morning.
Harris, Jack Coan and Tommy Stevens will be exceptions at rookie camp. The three veterans will be joined by Brayden Schager and Jordan McCloud to give the Roughriders five live arms during workouts that are to be conducted on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Those sessions will give Harris an opportunity to work on his timing and, as evidenced by Monday’s suppertime introductions, a chance to foster chemistry as early as possible.
The reigning Grey Cup MVP regards the smallest details as a big deal. That helps to explain why he remains in peak form as his 40th birthday looms.
His impressive statistics are well-documented, but so much of what he does is unquantifiable.
How do you attach a value, let alone a number, to the simple courtesy of approaching a new teammate — someone who, given the nature of professional football, might not even be part of the equation by month’s end — and extend a warm welcome?
Such a gesture is not referenced in any coaching manuals. But just by watching the brief interactions, you know that the quarterback’s parents (Tom and Suzanne Harris) instilled the right values.
The Harris family hails from Waldo, Ohio — otherwise known in these parts as “Where????!!!”
Many of the Americans who are here for camp may have had a comparable reaction, once upon a time, to the mere mention of “Saskatchewan.”
But here they are, in a league that is brand-new to them from a participatory perspective, preparing for three downs, a wider field, flurries of pre-snap motion, and perhaps even some flurries of snow.
After a flight or two, or maybe three, here you are in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada for a very public job interview. You go from the airport to the university dorms to, ummm, now what?
Well, supper would be nice, after squeezing in airport meals between connections.
Where’s the dining hall?
While fielding such a question, which was posed with the utmost politeness, I was introduced to rookie defensive tackle Jaylen Pate.
I provided expert directions — to a director. Director of Communications Arielle Zerr invited Jaylen to follow us to dinner. That was a vast improvement over what would have been my warbled “go left here, take a right there, and then try your luck with Uber.”
Oftentimes, you get to know the rookies, one by one, in informal situations. You might be standing beside them in the buffet line or crossing paths routinely enough that the faces — and eventually the names — become familiar.
Every day, at this time of year, is an exercise in “getting to know you.”
It is far more complex for the people about whom I have the honour of writing.
It is not my duty to memorize a playbook. If a fine detail is elusive or does not come to mind immediately, I can Google it. Or, “AI” it, the way things are trending.
There aren’t any shortcuts for the players or coaches. It is imperative to be on top of everything mentally so the physical part becomes automatic. Those who master that process will become widely recognizable in short order, considering the fervour with which football is followed in this part of the world.
Beginning on Wednesday morning, the fans will start to attach names to jersey numbers.
Thankfully, there will be a few easy appraisals, right out of the gate.
No. 7, Trevor Harris, is likely to put on a clinic.
Judging by what we witnessed at the dining hall on Monday, the Roughriders’ starting quarterback is already demonstrating how it is done.
