Josiah St. John keen to start as offensive lineman
Rookie season taught offensive lineman that ‘natural ability only gets you so far’
Josiah St. John knows what it was like to be No. 1.
He had that opportunity when the Saskatchewan Roughriders selected the University of Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman first overall in the 2016 CFL draft.
“It’s always good to be picked No. 1, like you were in gym class or any sport that you were playing, even though they weren’t drafts,” said St. John, who is headed into his second season with the Riders. “Being picked first is an honour in any sport or activity and I was happy about that.”
That honour will go to another prospect Sunday when the CFL conducts its annual draft of eligible Canadians from university, junior and NCAA football teams.
St. John learned about the business side of football after the draft. A contract holdout delayed his arrival with the team until July 4.
“(The holdout) hurt me a lot,” said St. John, who is represented by Johnathon Hardaway. “I wasn’t in camp, where I could work out, where you’re supposed to work out, not being able learn all of the plays and not being able to build that bond with my teammates. There was definitely a difference. I left it in my agent’s hands and let him look after that side of the business.”
St. John played catch-up after missing all of training camp, two pre-season games and the regularseason opener before agreeing to terms with the Riders. Once he settled in, St. John discovered that he liked the CFL.
“I learned that the CFL is a fun league to play in,” he said. “I had a great time when I was playing and I really enjoyed it.”
Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager, was pleased with St. John’s progress through the season. Jones told reporters in February that St. John needed to get into shape and commit to the weight room during the off-season.
“He’s had a good off-season, but an off-season is just working out and there isn’t anybody in pads,” Jones said.
“He has to show on the football field that he’s grown. His work habits are certainly better than when we got him. I look forward to seeing him put the pads on and show that he stayed strong.”
Jones suggested that many aspects of football came easily for St. John as he moved through high school and two seasons of junior college football before joining the Sooners in 2013. He redshirted in 2013 and played with the Sooners in 2014 and 2015.
“I’m a pretty good athlete so it always came naturally to me,” St. John said. “When I got to the CFL, I learned that natural ability only gets you so far. You have to put the work into getting strong and getting in shape to be able to perform at a high level in the CFL.”
The 6-foot-6 St. John moved to Regina in late February with the 2017 season in mind.
“I wanted to be back in town and be out in the community,” he said. “I wanted to have the coaches see me and see that I cared about how this process is going. I wanted to be an active player on this team. I’m loving Saskatchewan and I’m thinking of moving here all year round.”
Part of St. John’s off-season training involved addressing his weight. In 2016, he was 320 pounds, 15 above his playing weight with the Sooners. He has already dropped 13 pounds and hopes to attend his first training camp with the Riders at 306 pounds.
He has also gained strength and power while working with strength and conditioning co-ordinator Clint Spencer.
“Right now, it’s the strongest and the most physically fit that I’ve been in my whole life,” St. John said. “I’m excited to see what’s ahead for me.”
What’s ahead is an opportunity for St. John to claim a starting position in 2017. The retirement of right guard Chris Best means St. John could be in competition for that role during training camp.
“The offensive line is going to be a really strong group on our team,’’ St. John said. “Still, I’m going to compete. I’m not going in to be a backup. I’m going in there to start and I’m going to attack it that way at training camp.’’