Riders’ receiver Shaq Evans ‘doesn’t think any DB in the CFL can cover him’

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Saskatchewan Roughriders’ franchise quarterback Cody Fajardo has a favourite receiver in Riderville.

The statistics from 2019 prove it — Shaq Evans produced team-leading totals of 72 receptions for 1,334 yards while adding five touchdowns. His first 1,000-yard season displayed his potential as a long-term No. 1 target in the CFL.

Evans and Fajardo connected 69 times for 1,290 yards.

“He’s our best receiver, so this guy knows that he’s open every single time — it’s Shaq Evans. The reason why is he doesn’t think any DB in the CFL can cover him. I love that confidence,” Fajardo said on 620 CKRM’s The SportsCage.

“That’s why there’s been so many completions to him where he’s been draped over with a DB on his body and I still throw it up to him. He comes to the huddle and there’s something about that confidence as a quarterback when you hear it from your receiver.”

Prior to free agency in February, Saskatchewan signed Evans to a one-year pact for the cancelled 2020 season for approximately $200,000. The best big-play target in the league last year was Evans. The 29-year-old led the CFL with 15 catches of 30 or more yards, averaging 18.5 yards per reception.

“Shaq does it under his own understanding. If it’s one-on-one, Shaq’s always open,” Fajardo said. “He’s like 7-Eleven, 24/7 he’s always open.”