The road from a farm outside Eatonia to the doorstep of the CFL isn’t a straight one. It winds through six-a-side football fields, long bus rides, fall afternoons with the Eatonia Spartans, and eventually into the heart of a dynasty with the Saskatoon Hilltops.
But Friday, that road takes a significant turn for Hilltops’ defensive lineman Johnathon Stevens, who will compete at the CFL’s Invitational Combine in Waterloo, Ontario. The first major step toward earning a ticket to the main CFL Combine in Edmonton from March 27 through 29.
For more than 140 hopefuls, it's about opportunity. For Stevens, it’s the next chapter in an already remarkable small-town football story. Fresh off helping the Hilltops capture another Canadian Bowl, he hasn’t slowed down.
“Things have still been very well,” he said. “We’ve been training a lot, getting ready for the combine, and exciting things are coming up.”
The invitation is a reward not only for his play but also for his growth and for an off-season that required him to do something unusual for a lifelong athlete: relearn how to run. Stevens trains at Ignite Athletics in Saskatoon, working with Joel Lipinski and staff, whom he credits with reshaping the technical side of his game.
“They’ve taught me so many little things I didn’t know I was doing wrong,” he explained. “The tweaks might seem minuscule, but they create such a difference. Football is a game of inches. Same thing here.”
One of those tweaks?
“My footwork. I leaned too far forward and ended up running on my heels. They adjusted my stride so I’m running on the balls of my feet, getting more consistent power and speed.”
The changes came quickly once he embraced the mindset of starting fresh.
“You have to think like you don’t know anything,” he said. “Just listen, they’ve been doing this forever.”
Stevens takes pride in his roots, growing up near Eatonia and playing six-a-side football, a version of the game that forces players to do everything. Those reps helped him become the type of athlete who could thrive at the junior level and eventually catch the attention of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Stevens was part of the Riders’ local player program, attending training camp and sticking with the team until the Hilltops season began. That experience, he believes, gives him a unique edge.
“I’m showcasing not just for them but for everybody in the league,” he said. “But when I was with the Riders, hearing players talk about their experiences, their combines, their pro days, it was interesting. In my mind, I’ve already been part of this league where many guys haven’t.”
Stevens has built a reputation as a selfless, team-first player, something that stands out even in the rugged culture of junior football. So how does he handle an event that is all about individual performance?
“Yes, it’s individual, but I wouldn’t be able to get here without the people who helped me — Ignite, coach Sarge, the entire Hilltops organization,” he said. “I’m going to try to represent them in a positive light.”
Stevens won’t reveal all his target numbers for testing, but he knows exactly what he wants to achieve.
“There are a few events where I’m like, ‘This is the number I want to hit or more,’” he said. “And others where if I get just a little better, that zero-point-zero-one seconds can be an eye-opener for teams.”
One thing is certain: he is ready.
“It’s going to be phenomenal athletes there, they want this as much as I do. It’ll be great competitors and an amazing time.”
A small-town Spartan turned national champion, now standing on the verge of a professional football opportunity. As always, Stevens remains grounded.
“Whatever team takes me, if they do, I’d be grateful,” he said. “I’m excited for the chance.”
