The pressure is always on when you’re a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. This season, defensive end Stefen Banks will try and bring the heat as the team’s new pass-rushing threat.
Banks spent his first two seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Calgary Stampeders. During his time as a Stampeder, the 25-year-old had eight sacks in a rotational situation.
The chance of more playing time was one of the reasons he chose to sign with Saskatchewan.
“To help my team win a game, to show my talent, be able to rush the passer, that’s what all d-linemen want to do for the most part.”
Saskatchewan would like to see Banks become the pass rusher on the edge opposite of Pete Robertson. Last season, AC Leonard lined up in that spot but only had three sacks in 2022.
The native of Columbus, Ohio, has only had a few days to go through the defensive playbook, but he likes what he has seen.
“It’s simple for the most part for the d-linemen, they give us a chance to rush, the chance to get after the quarterback, that’s what we are here for.”
Banks thinks the Roughriders have the right guy calling the plays in defensive coordinator Jason Shivers.
“He’s a great coach, I’ve seen his defence, he knows what he’s doing, he knows what he’s talking about, he’s blitzing people at the right time, call the right play calls at the right time, so yeah he’s a great mind.”
Before he entered the CFL, Banks played at Savannah State University, where he had 226 total tackles, 51.5 tackles for loss, 24.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, six knockdowns, and two interceptions between 2015 and 2018.
He spent time with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2019 before signing with the Stampeders.
When Banks was in Calgary, he discovered how to be a professional.
“How to day-to-day living, because in the first year probably really wasn’t the living situation I wanted because I had to learn how to adjust coming from the HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities), coming to the pros you got a lot more time to yourself and you got to be locked in.”
As a defensive lineman, Banks will be donning the guardian caps. The league has mandated them for several players during training camp and for contact practices in the regular season. After the first day, the defensive end said it was an adjustment but understands why the league introduced them this year.
“The new caps are cool for the most part, you know it’s a like a bobblehead.”
Banks will try to use his belligerent capabilities to help the Roughriders against opposing offences when the season gets underway.
“I’m aggressive, I’m going to bring that edge to the defence. ”
Fans will have the chance to see Banks and the rest of the Roughriders in a scrimmage at the annual Green and White Day this Saturday at SMF Field at 3:00.
