Freaky athletic defender Willie Jefferson extends contract with Riders

Riders defensive end Willie Jefferson has extended his contract with the Riders through the 2018 season, per sources.

The 26-year-old had an all-star season in 2017 recording 45 tackles and a team-high eight sacks to go with one defensive touchdown while starting all 18 games. The six-foot-six, 245-pounder led the league in quarterback pressures with 34 – nine more than the next closest defender. He added three tackles, one sack and one interception in two playoff games.

Jefferson is a consistent disruptor that makes offences game plan for him and know his whereabouts on every single snap. He does whatever Chris Jones asks within the defensive scheme.

Originally Jefferson signed on in Saskatchewan after being waived by the Washington Redskins in 2016, he made eight tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble in five games that year. The connection to Jones, the two spent two seasons in Edmonton as the Beaumont, Texas native was breaking into the league and won a Grey Cup together in 2015, brought Jefferson to Regina.

An integral and ultra-athletic piece of the Riders’ defence has been secured.