Big potential for undersized Sterns

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This article was published 15/05/2025 (220 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The common answer when assessing players at this point in training camp remains, “It’s still early.”

It’s an easy but fair explanation, with more than two weeks of practice and a pair of pre-season contests yet to be played before CFL rosters are shaved down and the real games begin.

However, while some players are blending in from day to day, others are standing out in the first week of Winnipeg Blue Bombers camp.

By all accounts, receiver Jerreth Sterns is in the latter group.

The third-year pro is off to a strong start in his first camp with the Blue and Gold and has already run into the good graces of quarterback Zach Collaros.

“He’s a pro. He learns it quick. He’s a good communicator, he communicates what he’s seeing out there with me,” Collaros said Thursday.

After starting with the second team offence, Sterns has been running with the likes of Collaros, Nic Demski, Brady Oliveira and the other expected starters since Monday — while other receivers continue to be shuffled around.

He hasn’t dropped a pass thrown his way, and was quick to shoulder the blame on Thursday when one of his targets was intercepted by Evan Holm. After the play, he told Collaros what he should’ve done instead, which impressed the veteran pivot because it was something they hadn’t covered together yet.

“He was right there, spot on with it,” Collaros added. “I think his talent speaks for itself. He’s very fast. He gets in and out of his cuts really well. He’s done it at a high level.

“I thought he’s brought a nice spark to our room and, again, he’s gonna get better and better as he learns this system and, obviously, as we spend more time together.”

Sterns joined the Bombers after spending the last two seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, where he became a reliable target over 23 contests, catching 83 passes for 941 yards and three majors.

He spent one season in the National Football League, jumping from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Los Angeles Rams’ practice roster, then arrived in three-down territory halfway through the 2023 season.

Listed at 5-9, 175 pounds, the 25-year-old is undersized by most standards but has shown at every level he’s capable of a big game.

“I’ve always been slept on because of that, but I don’t even notice it when I’m out here playing,” said Sterns, noting he’s actually somewhere between 5-7 and 5-8. “To be honest, I think I’m just as big and strong as anybody else, or just as tall as anybody else. My vertical was 40 inches, so I think that makes up for a lot of the shortness. I don’t really even notice, I just play.”

Sterns’ father, who played basketball at Baylor University, hoped his children would take to hoops. With Sterns’ height, he never took to the hardwood and instead grew to love the gridiron through watching Reggie Bush’s rise at the University of Southern California.

He wanted to be a running back, but was asked to play quarterback at Waxahachie High School — about 40 minutes south of Dallas — where his coach ran the triple-option at times to take advantage of his exceptional athleticism.

Sterns accepted an offer from Army’s football program, which is renowned for deploying the triple option. However, he backed out after Houston Christian (formerly Houston Baptist) offered him a scholarship to play receiver.

“(They) never saw me play receiver in a game or anything like that, but I always had hands, and I figured I could learn the route-running part, so I just jumped on that opportunity,” he said.

After three years with the Huskies, Sterns and quarterback Bailey Zappe followed offensive co-ordinator Zach Kittley to Western Kentucky in 2021.

That season, Sterns exploded in a pass-happy offence, registering 17 touchdowns and 1,902 receiving yards on 150 catches in 14 contests. He won the triple crown as the NCAA’s leader in receiving yards, receptions and being tied for most receiving touchdowns.

Now in Winnipeg, Sterns is kilometres ahead of where he was in 2023. The Canadian game has slowed down for him, and while his speed is not to be discredited, he’s proven to excel in short-medium routes that allow him to uncover quickly from defenders.

Sterns has caught some long balls, while offensive co-ordinator Jason Hogan is also getting him touches on pop passes and screens.

“I’m really just trying to learn everything and just kind of soak up as much information as I can. But as far as ones, twos, threes, I’m not really worried about that right now. I’m just kind of taking it a day at a time, and just being consistent and being myself,” he said.

As camp rolls on and the rosters begin to crystallize, Collaros’s feelings about Sterns will hold more weight.

“I mean, you’d like your quarterbacks to have a good feel for each guy and be able to say what they like about each guy and what each guy needs to improve on,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “Not that you rely on that, but you do talk to the quarterbacks and see how easy it is to throw to guys, or how hard it might be to throw to the guys, and if they know their stuff and what they need to work on.”

Sterns is one of several new faces in a receiver room that saw significant turnover this off-season, as Kenny Lawler (free agency) and Drew Wolitarsky (released) were not brought back, while Ontaria Wilson left for an NFL opportunity with the New York Jets and Lucky Whitehead remains a free agent.

There are 18 receivers in training camp, and beyond a select few returnees from last season, there are several spots up for grabs.

It’s still early, but Sterns has made a strong initial impression. Continuing play when the live action begins against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on May 24, and into the rest of the month, could lead the undersized receiver to a big role in the Bombers’ offence.

“I think I’m a versatile receiver,” Sterns said. “Whatever’s asked of me, I’ll be able to do it. If they want me to go block a guy twice my size, I’ll go give him my all, if they want me to go try to catch a jump ball, I’ll give it my all. I’m that kind of guy — team-first — so whatever it takes to help win.”

joshua.frey-sam@freepress.mb.ca