Logan Ferland, an erstwhile Melfort Comet, is experiencing a meteoric rise among the ranks of the CFL’s offensive linemen.
As evidence to that effect, he was celebrated on Wednesday as the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman — an award he has received three years in succession.
And he is only 27.
Every other third-time winner in franchise history has been over 30 at the time.
“With Logan,” Head Coach Corey Mace said, “the sky’s really the limit.”
There seemingly aren’t any limitations as to where the 6-foot-5, 306-pounder can play.
During a season in which the Roughriders have navigated various injuries along the offensive line, Ferland has started at centre, right guard and right tackle. He has also received some snaps at left tackle.
“Unbelievable,” Mace marvelled.
“I’m just really proud. We talked about him taking a step as a leader and taking a step in his play. We looked at some things where we felt like he could improve, and I think he has surpassed the bar that I had personally set for him.”
That is quite the compliment when you consider that Mace is unyielding in terms of ensuring that players adhere to what he describes as “the standard.”
Ferland, however, goes far beyond what would ordinarily be defined as the call of duty.
“He’s elite at whatever position he’s playing,” the Roughriders’ head coach noted.
Conventionally the front-line right guard, Ferland has made five consecutive starts at centre in place of the injured Peter Godber.
The Roughriders, winners of their past four games, have a 4-1-0 slate with Ferland snapping the ball.
They are 9-7-1 overall, having clinched a home playoff game, entering Saturday’s regular-season finale against the Calgary Stampeders (5 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
Ferland’s one start at right tackle was necessitated by the absence of Jermarcus (Yoshi) Hardrick — a priority free-agent signing who suffered a quad injury on July 13 against the host B.C. Lions.
“He attached — I mean, attached — himself to Yoshi as soon as camp started,” Mace said of Ferland. “It’s unfortunate what happened with Yosh, but Logan kind of took the torch right there and it has been incredible.
“I’m very pleased to see his progression not only as a player, but also as a person and as a leader.”
The progression can be described by referring to the esteemed company he keeps.
Ferland is only the sixth Roughrider to be named the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman at least three times.
He joins Roger Aldag (nine times), Gene Makowsky (five), Jeremy O’Day (four), Brendon LaBatte (four) and John Terry (three).
Aldag, Terry and LaBatte were 31 when they received the prestigious award for the third time. Makowsky and O’Day were 32 and 33, respectively.
Like Aldag, Makowsky and LaBatte, Ferland is a proud product of Saskatchewan’s fertile football feeder system.
That quartet has contributed to this eyebrow-raising stat: A Saskatchewan-raised player has won the top-lineman award 26 times since its introduction 50 years ago.
“The Prairies breeds mental and physical toughness,” said Ferland, who played nine-a-side high school football in his hometown of Melfort before graduating to the junior football ranks.
“We just get to work. There’s no excuses. That’s how we’re raised out here, especially being from a small town.
“You don’t have to be the rah-rah guy. You don’t have to be the loudest in the room. Just put your head down and get to work, and that’s really the mentality of Saskatchewan.”
That mentality has helped a Saskatchewan-born player win the Roughriders’ past seven lineman-of-the-year awards.
LaBatte, from Weyburn, got the nod in 2017 and 2018. Regina’s Dan Clark was honoured in 2019 and, following a COVID-induced non-season, 2021. Cue the Ferland three-peat.
Consider, too, that neither Ferland nor Clark played a single down of university football. They are both products of the Regina Thunder.
“I’m just trying to put that out there and show that you can still play in the pros, no matter where you’re from,” said Ferland, who was named a CJFL All-Canadian in 2018 and the PFC’s Outstanding Offensive Lineman one year later.
The home-province representation at the CFL Awards presentations actually began before one laurel was set aside for an offensive lineman, period.
Regina-born Ted Urness, a future Canadian Football Hall of Famer, was named the West’s premier lineman in 1968. At the time, offensive and defensive players were both eligible for the honour, which was bestowed upon defensive tackle Ed McQuarters — the CFL’s overall winner — in 1967.
Since a specific award for offensive linemen was first presented in 1974, the province of Saskatchewan has been represented by Ferland, Makowsky, Aldag, LaBatte, Clark, Gary Brandt (1975) and Mike Anderson (1994, 1995).
Aldag (1983 to 1990), Terry (1997 to 1999) and Ferland (2022 to 2024) are the only players to win the team award at least three years in a row.
Ideally, a win of a different description will follow in short order.
Ferland is a strong candidate for the All-CFL team — fans can vote HERE — and, to this point in the process, he is grateful for and welcomes visible support from Rider Nation.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “They’ve always put me on the pedestal and it really is appreciated. They always hold us to a high standard, which I think is important.
“With the things we’ve been through as Rider Nation in general, they deserve a win, and that’s what we’re trying to get them.”
He is referring, of course, to THE win.
“The work’s not done yet,” Ferland stated. “I’m not satisfied until we’re hoisting that Cup.”
THE ROUGHRIDERS’ TOP OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
1974: Ralph Galloway
1975: Gary Brandt
1976: Mike Dirks
1977: Ralph Galloway
1978: Joe Miller
1979: Curtis Wester
1980: Roger Aldag
1981: Don Swafford
1982: Don Swafford
1983: Roger Aldag
1984: Roger Aldag
1985: Roger Aldag
1986: Roger Aldag*
1987: Roger Aldag
1988: Roger Aldag*
1989: Roger Aldag
1990: Roger Aldag
1991: Vic Stevenson
1992: Vic Stevenson**
1993: Craig Hendrickson
1994: Mike Anderson
1995: Mike Anderson
1996: Scott Hendrickson
1997: John Terry
1998: John Terry
1999: John Terry
2000: Andrew Greene**
2001: Jeremy O’Day
2002: Gene Makowsky
2003: Andrew Greene*
2004: Gene Makowsky*
2005: Gene Makowsky*
2006: Jeremy O’Day
2007: Jeremy O’Day
2008: Gene Makowsky**
2009: Gene Makowsky
2010: Jeremy O’Day
2011: Chris Best
2012: Dominic Picard
2013: Brendon LaBatte*
2014: Dominic Picard
2015: Brendon LaBatte
2016: Thaddeus Coleman
2017: Brendon LaBatte
2018: Brendon LaBatte
2019: Dan Clark
2021: Dan Clark
2022: Logan Ferland
2023: Logan Ferland
2024: Logan Ferland
*—Won league award
**—League finalist
