Drafted by the Roughriders in the third round of the 2007 Canadian Draft
By Darrell Davis,
Regina Leader-Post
Yannick Carter is getting indoctrinated into Saskatchewan Roughriders culture.
Carter just met kicker Luca Congi, he has heard about himself being compared to draft-choice surprise Tristan Clovis, he jokes about receiving a “six-figure” salary from the CFL team; and he has first-hand experience with Saskatchewan’s “dry cold.”
“I was out there (in Saskatoon) for the Vanier Cup as an all-Canadian,” said Carter, a CIS all-star linebacker last year with Wilfrid Laurier who was the Roughriders’ third-round selection, 20th overall, in last week’s CFL draft.
“We were out there at the wrong time, I must admit, when it was minus-36. It was an interesting experience because I’d be wearing a sweater and all these people were looking at me. They kept telling me it was a dry cold. I had no idea what they were talking about until I realized what it meant. It was an interesting experience, I really enjoyed it and everybody was really nice. I’m looking forward to being there again.”
Carter, 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, won the 2005 Vanier Cup when Laurier defeated the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 24-23 in Ottawa. Last year he led CIS with 10.5 sacks in eight games, which piqued the Roughriders’ interest enough to watch him closely at the pre-draft evaluation camp.
“Carter was our top-rated defensive player and I can tell you that (Roughriders linebackers/special teams coach Alex Smith) is excited to get him,” said Roughriders general manager Eric Tillman.
“In the 2006 draft, you can ask how a guy like Clovis fell so low in the draft. We might soon feel that way about Carter. We were prepared to take him ninth.”
The Roughriders selected Guelph receiver David McKoy with their first pick, ninth overall, and crossed their fingers that Carter would be available later, knowing that bona fide CFL players can indeed come from the third round. In 2006 they selected receiver Andy Fantuz in the first round, Congi in the second round and Clovis in the third round.
Fantuz became a starting slotback. Congi, who Carter met following a workout earlier this week in Waterloo, Ont., became Saskatchewan’s punter/kicker. And Clovis, a linebacker from McMaster, evolved into Saskatchewan’s starting safety. The Roughriders have discussed moving Carter to safety, a position he played in high school.
“I’m familiar with Tristan Clovis, but we haven’t met directly,” Carter said via cellphone from Waterloo. ”He’s a McMaster grad and there’s a little bit of rivalry there. I’m guessing that rivalry will be beyond the limits if I get converted to free safety and we have to compete with each other for the same position. I’ve talked to others about him and I hear he’s a great guy. I watched him play all of last year. He did really well for himself. I’m looking forward to playing with him.
“I have to follow that path because the same thing happened to him. I got the Brady Quinn comments all of draft day and I’m still getting them now and then. Hopefully I’ll come along like Tristan Clovis and become a starter. Playing football and doing what you love, playing games and getting paid — that’s a lifestyle I’m more than happy to live.”
The Roughriders have been discussing contracts with Carter’s agent, Darren Gill. First-round picks can expect $50,000 contracts with five-figure signing bonuses, but Carter is willing to joke about the discussions.
“I’m looking for a six-figure job, that would be nice,” Carter said with a chuckle. “I know it’s not going to happen, but it’s my hopes and dreams so there’s nothing wrong with wishful thinking.”
Carter has completed an honours degree in communications. Because he has one season remaining of college eligibility, he has a backup plan of returning to Laurier.
“If I do come back I only have to take three random classes, maybe some religion classes and get a religion minor,” said Carter. “If I want to I can play football another year, hopefully meet Saskatchewan in the Vanier Cup again and I can talk to some of the fans the following year.”
NOTES: Veteran defensive back Donnie Ruiz and import defensive lineman Andrew Browning have signed contracts with the Roughriders. Ruiz, a six-year CFL veteran acquired last year in the Ottawa Renegades dispersal draft, became a free agent Feb. 15. Last season Ruiz, a non-import, played 14 games, starting two at safety. Browning, 6-foot-0 and 278 pounds, had 50 tackles and eight sacks in 13 games as a senior at Boise State.
