Football, faith and family come to the fore in any conversation with Dohnte Meyers.
On Monday, for example, he was highly sought-after for interviews after making two highlight-reel catches for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Saturday’s 28-27 CFL pre-season victory over the host Edmonton Elks.
For starters, his contested catch of a Mason Fine back-shoulder pass produced a four-yard touchdown 12 minutes into the second quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Shea Patterson looked down the right sideline for Meyers, who made a diving, juggling catch for an 18-yard gain.
“He’s an explosive athlete,” Head Coach Corey Mace said after Monday’s Coors Light Training Camp session at Mosaic Stadium.
“We saw his return ability in the first week (of the pre-season) and we were able to see what he can do from an offensive standpoint (on Saturday).
“He’s a heck of a receiver. He has put himself in the conversation. He’s one of those guys we’ve got to take a close look at to see if he makes us a better team.
“It’s not just him. There are other guys. But I was very pleased with how Dohnte played.”
Meyers is also pleased, but far from satisfied.
“I just want to take advantage of every opportunity,” he said. “They preach to just be ready when your name is called and to do it to the best of your ability.
“I’m just happy that God allowed for that to happen. I’m just trying to put my head back down and go to work.”
That approach served him well at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., where he played his junior and senior seasons of college football.
Over 24 games with the Delta State Statesmen, he caught 120 passes for 1,542 yards and 13 touchdowns.
He was a Gulf Coast Conference first-team all-star in 2022 after catching 65 passes for 877 yards and eight TDs as a senior.
Meyers’ ties to his alma mater are such that he still sports Statesmen gear.
“Delta State was instrumental to me becoming the whole man I am today,” he said. “As you guys (in the media) can see, it says ‘FAMILY’ on my shirt.
“They helped me learn to be a professional and hone in on my craft and showed me what it means to be a champion — what it takes to win week in and week out, on and off the field.
“Shout-out to Delta State.”
On his social media platforms, he also gives frequent shout-outs to Lolly.
“Lolly is the name of my aunt, who passed when I was younger,” said Meyers, 23, who lost his aunt when he was 11.
“She was like my second mom. Just having her presence there and having her personality and missing her, I always think about that.
“Every accomplishment and every step that I go on, I just try to pay homage to her and bring light to her name and awareness to how amazing and how important a person like that was in my life.”
CAMP COMPETITION CONTINUES
The pre-season may be over, but the same cannot be said for training camp.
Workouts are to begin at 9:30 a.m., each day at Mosaic Stadium, continuing through Friday.
“This is still training camp and it still counts,” Mace emphasized. “You’ve got to be just as detailed in the playbooks.
“It’s all the same things we’ve preached. You should come out here and treat each practice as if it’s a game.
“We’ll be dialed, because nothing is changing for us as coaches as far as evaluations.”
Having won both pre-season games, the Roughriders are now idle until the June 8 opener in Edmonton. The final cutdown deadline is Saturday.
“There are still a lot of close battles,” Mace said. “It might come down to special teams, where someone has more value. It might come down to a few (missed assignments) this week that might be the ultimate factor.
“Games or not, the evaluation is still tightly watched.”
At quarterback, for example, the competition continues for the No. 2 spot behind Trevor Harris.
Fine and Patterson received the most playing time on Saturday in Edmonton. Fine played most of the first half. Patterson was behind centre for the entire fourth quarter.
The quarterbacks’ room also includes Antonio Pipkin, who handled much of the short-yardage duty last season, and newcomer Jack Coan.
“Things are still rolling,” Mace said. “They’re making it tough on us. They’re competing their tails off — some good, some bad, which you expect at any position.
“We’ll continue to keep a close eye on these guys as they roll forward.”
MONDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
- The most picturesque play was a long touchdown pass from Harris to Jerreth Sterns. After Sterns crossed the goal line, Harris sprinted toward the goal line to offer congratulations.
- Samuel Emilus, as is his custom, made a couple of eye-catching receptions. Joe Robustelli added a diving grab and KeeSean Johnson made an impressive reception in traffic.
- Interceptions: Nelson Lokombo and Deontai Williams.
- Pass breakups: Nicario Harper, DaMarcus Fields and Eric Smith.
