Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Mace didn’t need many words to describe his first in-person impressions of receiver Tyrie Cleveland.
“Burner, man. Holy smokes the guy can run,” Mace told reporters as the Riders’ rookie camp came to an end Friday in Saskatoon.
Cleveland is vying for a role with Saskatchewan after a year away from the pro game. He most recently spent time on the practice rosters of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts (2023-24) and Philadelphia Eagles (2023).
Prior to that he spent three years with the Denver Broncos, appearing in 23 games as a backup and making eight catches for 91 yards.
“He’s a jump ball guy. He can go get it,” Mace continued. “Studious. He’s a pro in how he approaches things.
“You never know until you see them in the meeting rooms and get them on the field but he’s been a tremendous pro.”
The numbers would suggest he wasn’t too shabby in college either.
In four years with the University of Florida Gators (2016-19), his resume includes a 98-yard touchdown catch as a freshman, a team-high 410 receiving yards as a sophomore, and time both as a gunner on Florida’s punt cover team and as a kick returner.
And how might that translate to the Canadian game?
“In the States it’s a little different (because) they switched the kickoff and kickoff return rules, but it’s similar,” Cleveland told SportsCage.com’s Dave Thomas. “You just catch the ball first, run. That’s how I look at it.”
Cleveland, who graduated this spring from Florida with a degree in family, youth and community science, also sees the larger Canadian field as an advantage.
“Just trying to take it one day at a time but also still show that I’ve got my speed. There’s more field and so it’s better for me. I can hit the burners,” he said.
