In a defence co-ordinated by Corey Mace, the responsibilities of the free safety can be likened to those of a symphony conductor.
Who better for the role than a classical pianist?
As a musician and a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defensive backfield, Nelson Lokombo is adept at reading the keys.
“The safety is the conductor back there,” Mace explained. “They’re communicating a lot of the checks, depending on what we’re getting formationally. They’ve got to conduct from the back all the way to the front.
“Him and the (middle) linebacker having to make sure everybody is sorted on any given play, it’s very crucial. It’s not an easy job but certainly one that (Lokombo) was champing at the bit to get.
“He has earned the right and we’re going to keep rolling.”
Rolling, indeed.
Saskatchewan carries a CFL-best 7-1 record into Saturday’s matchup with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
“It’s fun (to be 7-1), but we know where we want to be and we know we can get there if we keep working,” Lokombo said. “Every day, we’re trying to get better and better, and we’re trying to go 1-and-0 every game.”
The Roughriders were 1-0 to begin the 2024 season when Lokombo was transferred from field-side cornerback to safety.
“They thought I was a better fit at safety, so they moved me there,” the former University of Saskatchewan Huskies star said. “I just worked on that. Every day was a learning process.
“As I’ve gone on, I’ve obviously gotten more comfortable. It’s fun to be out there with the guys and being able to make plays. I’m very grateful to be a part of this team.”
Lokombo has started every game since Mace was appointed Head Coach and Defensive Co-ordinator on Nov. 30, 2023.
Over that duration, Saskatchewan has a 16-9-1 regular-season record and is 1-1 in the playoffs. In that 2024 playoff victory, a Lokombo interception helped the Roughriders defeat the visiting B.C. Lions 28-19.
“Nelly is getting more comfortable going into his second year of commanding back there,” Mace said. “He’s super athletic.
“Obviously, we just want him to catch the ball. He’s got a couple of drops on the season, but we know how that goes. Those (interceptions) will come.
“He has the ability to make plays and cover a lot of the field. He has been pretty good around the box when he’s had to step in and make tackles.
“I’m just pushing him to further communicate. He’s gaining his voice and his confidence back there. The arrow is only up.”
Such a trajectory was envisioned when Lokombo was selected second overall in the 2021 CFL Draft.
What would have been his rookie season was ruined by a torn Achilles tendon he sustained in a pre-training camp workout.
Lokombo, who made his on-field debut with the Roughriders in 2022, is now a day away from playing in his 50th career regular-season game.
“It has been fun working with Nelly through his development,” said defensive halfback Rolan Milligan Jr., who joined the Roughriders late in the 2021 season.
“Just seeing him go from the injury to trying to find his way in the secondary, between corner and free safety and halfback, and then seeing him get more comfortable, it has been fun.
“Spending time with him and getting to know Nelson outside of football, too, has been fun.”
Away from football, the 26-year-old product of Abbotsford, B.C. enjoys a low-key life that includes video games — Madden, especially — and, when the opportunity arises, playing the piano.
“I’m self-taught,” he said. “I’ve been told that I have perfect pitch. I can just hear something and I’m able to kind of learn over time.
“It’s just natural to me. I haven’t played in a while, so I’m a little rusty.”
In football, by contrast, there is the imperative of constantly being on top of his game — while helping to ensure that teammates are ideally positioned to maximize their talents.
“I’ve got to make all the calls to make sure everybody’s in the right spot and really just navigate the calls and the assignments,” Lokombo said. “I would say ‘conductor’ is a good way of describing it.
“It’s cool being able to be out there and make sure everybody’s lined up right and everybody is doing their jobs. Being able to make plays out there is always fun, along with doing whatever I can to help the team win.”
