ALOUETTES QB HARRIS HELPED OPEN CFL DOOR FOR FLETCHER
University connection paved way for spot in Edmonton and reunion in Montreal
It might be a stretch to suggest Walter Fletcher owes his CFL career to Trevor Harris. But the veteran quarterback certainly opened the door for the tailback at a time when there wasn't an abundance of opportunities.
“He means a whole lot,” Fletcher said this week. “For someone to go out of their way and put their name on the line, it means a lot to me.”
Fletcher might not have been the only player Harris recommended to management, but he undoubtedly made a strong case for him. Though separated by close to a decade, both players attended Edinboro University of Pennsylvania — the bond that will forever unite them. They then became teammates at Edmonton and their paths again crossed this season, when the Alouettes acquired Fletcher in a June 14 trade from the Elks in exchange for a sixth-round draft choice.
Montreal had a need for another import running back after William Stanback sustained a fractured ankle days earlier.
Harris was aware of Fletcher's exploits with the Fighting Scots — 3,913 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns in 32 games over three seasons — but the two never met, only conversing through social media. Fletcher concluded his collegiate career in 2019 at Ball State as a grad student, when they reconnected again.
As a junior in 2018, Fletcher was named his conference's offensive player of the year — the first Edinboro player since Harris, in 2008, to accomplish the feat. Fletcher wasn't selected in the 2020 NFL draft. Harris, playing for the Elks at the time, requested game film from Fletcher, which he forwarded to Edmonton management. Within days, Fletcher was offered a contract and signed for the 2021 season.
“I was rooting for him and loved watching him play,” Harris said. “We messaged back and forth. I encouraged him and told him I was there for him if he needed anything. I saw he had been out of football for a bit, then saw him post something. We exchanged numbers and touched base. I told him to send me his film, because I thought this guy can really play. He had a lot of success everywhere he went.
“It's hard to vouch for everybody when you don't know their character; you have to be careful. It's fun getting to know people, learning their story and what they did. I had no doubts about him. And when I watched his film, I had no doubt his game suited this league. He's still just scratching the surface. He's been making me look like a smart guy every since.”
Fletcher dressed for 11 games last season, gaining 302 yards on 67 carries. He also caught 22 passes for 177 yards. But he wasn't Harris's teammate for long. Last October, after Vernon Adams Jr. sustained a season-ending fractured arm, the Als acquired him for rush-end Antonio Simmons.
Heading into Friday night's game against Ottawa at TD Place, the five-foot-nine, 202-pound Fletcher has gained a respectable 417 yards on 75 carries (5.6-yard average) in 11 games. Only Toronto has fewer rushing attempts than Montreal and Fletcher shared playing time with Canadian Jeshrun Antwi while Stanback was sidelined.
Stanback, the league's leading rusher last season and the East Division nominee as most outstanding player, returned last Monday against Ottawa, but was limited to eight carries, gaining only 20 yards.
General manager and interim head coach Danny Maciocia denied Harris was instrumental in this season's trade for Fletcher. Nor would Maciocia commit to Fletcher's role beyond Friday's game, although all three tailbacks were dressed for the rematch.
Nonetheless, Maciocia praised Fletcher after making the deal and, four months later, hasn't changed his perspective.
“Walter is a complete back,” he said. “He can run, catch the ball out of the backfield and can block.”
An all-state selection as a high school star in Maryland, Fletcher made his college debut with Division 3 Randolph-macon College, before transferring to Division 2 Edinboro, making the team as a walk-on.
After graduating with a degree in sports administration — and still with one year of eligibility remaining — Fletcher wanted to test himself against Division 1 competition, deciding on Indiana's Ball State on the recommendation of a coach, while knowing the school's starting tailback had transferred.
In 12 games with the Cardinals, including two starts, Fletcher rushed for 726 yards on 132 carries.
He also caught 26 passes for 306 yards, scoring a combined seven touchdowns. While there, he also got his master's degree in athletic coaching.
While Fletcher said he was surprised by the trade to Montreal, he knew he'd have opportunities to play with Stanback sidelined. And even with Stanback's return, there could be room on the Als' roster for Fletcher because they complement each other. Stanback is a physical, punishing runner, while Fletcher's more elusive.
“(Fletcher) is a professional who works his tail off, always trying to get the minor details down,” Harris said.
“He's one of the best jump-cutters I've seen — pressing the hole, cutting back and getting up to top speed. He's really good in the open field, has really good hands and runs hard into tackles. I don't think he has a weakness.”
I had no doubts about him. And when I watched his film, I had no doubt his game suited this league.