Mitchell Blair
The 2015 season will not be one to remember for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but it will be one for rookie linebacker Jeff Knox Jr.
The 6-foot22, 225 pound Knox has been one of the bright lights of this season emerging as one of the league’s best rookies and defensive players. In fact, the season has gone so well for him, he has captured the honour of being “The Wireless Age Rider player of the year” beating out fan favourites like John Chick, Weston Dressler and Rob Bagg. It is an honour that boggles the mind of the 23 year old Pittsburgh native.
“I can’t believe it,” Knox gushed during a recent appearance on 620 CKRM’s Sportscage. “I know how much the fans love those guys and the work they have put in over the years to make a name for themselves and how much the fans love them. It just blows my mind that as a rookie they have selected me. It’s unbelievable and I thank them all for this.”
Knox came to the Riders after being at the team’s mini-camp in Florida and says it has been an experience from that time to today as he gets to learn the Canadian game.
“It has been a journey that’s for sure. I started learning the game down in Florida like seeing how wide the field was and the extra man and other things,” Knox said. “There was a lot of competition at that mini-camp and I was so glad to get an invite to go to main camp. When I got to Saskatoon, I knew I was in tough because I was there with all the veterans, but it was a great experience and I gave it all I had and thankfully it was enough to earn a roster spot.”
Once Knox earned that roster spot, he started showing people why he got it as he made an immediate impact with that impact continuing all season long to the point he has had arguably one of the best seasons by a Rider defensive player in history.
Going into the season finale at Montreal on Sunday afternoon, Knox has 107 defensive tackles which is already a team record beating the old record of 105 by three men who had solid CFL careers—George White, Barrin Simpson and Jerrell Freeman. While it has looked easy for him, Knox says there has been a huge transition.
“The speed of the game has been the biggest thing,” Knox said. “It took a while for me to get used to that, because guys are faster and bigger, but I have to say now the most challenging thing about being a professional is guys leaving and guys coming in. The game is a business and that was hard to get used to because you forge relationships with guys and one day you come in and that guy is no longer there and that’s tough when you are a young guy.”
The Rider Nation will be counting on Knox leading the team into 2016. It’s a big year for the American, because he will be a free agent when it concludes and NFL dreams will be in his sights. He would take the opportunity if afforded to him, but he’s all in on the Rider Nation right now and into the near future.
“God has a plan for me and if he says it is time for me to play in the NFL then so be it, but if that plan is to stay in the CFL than I am OK with it.” Knox said. “Whatever comes, whatever happens is something I am willing to accept. I love being in Saskatchewan and I hope I am here next year and a lot longer.”
Knox and the rest of the Riders will finish out the 2015 regular season in Montreal on Sunday as he attempts to impress those voting on year-end awards as he competes for top rookie, most outstanding player and top defensive player. Despite the fact the Riders go into Sunday’s game with two wins which might be a detriment for winning a year-end award, a solid argument could be made which could see him gather some hardware during Grey Cup week when the CFL awards are handed out.
