The numbers, impressive as they are, don\u2019t tell the entire story about Jameer Thurman.<\/p>\n
Consider the fact that the Saskatchewan Roughriders\u2019 middle linebacker was a divisional All-CFL selection in 2024 despite playing through a painful injury.<\/p>\n
The latest accolades came his way on Wednesday, when he was named the Corey Mace-coached Roughriders\u2019 Most Outstanding Defensive Player.<\/p>\n
Thurman is fourth in the league in defensive tackles, with 85 \u2014\u00a0nine ahead of his pace from 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year, it was rough playing with a torn bicep most of the year,\u201d Thurman said. \u201cThis year, I just wanted to continue to grow with the guys that we had on our team and as a defence.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the second year in the system with Mace and everything, I wanted to take that next step. I thought I did a pretty good job.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were some plays that I still could have made, but I think we did a pretty good job of setting the standard as a defence. The plays that came our way, we made. That\u2019s why we\u2019re the Number 1 defence in the league.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Roughriders have allowed the fewest points per game (22.5) and yards of net offence (an average of 339.2) in the nine-team circuit heading into Saturday\u2019s regular-season finale against the B.C. Lions (5 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).<\/a><\/p>\n Along with the 85 tackles (including two for a loss), Thurman enters the game with three sacks, three interceptions, three pass knockdowns, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand statistics and what things look like but, to me, you\u2019ve just got to look at the timing of when some of those plays are made,\u201d noted Mace, who doubles as the Roughriders\u2019 Defensive Co-ordinator.<\/p>\n \u201cHe always makes big plays in huge moments. You need excellent players to do that and he\u2019s certainly that.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a defensive captain, team captain. He\u2019s the ultimate communicator. He\u2019s an effort guy \u2026 a physical force. He\u2019s able to go get the ball, too.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m shocked that he actually doesn\u2019t get more recognition than he has gotten to this point. I think people in this province understand what he brings to the team and certainly his teammates do, and the staff does as well.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s one of the best linebackers in the league and has been (for a long time), in my opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n Thurman, who made his CFL debut in 2017, is up against Mathieu Betts (B.C.), Kordell Jackson (Edmonton Elks), Clarence Hicks (Calgary Stampeders) and Evan Holm (Winnipeg Blue Bombers) in voting for the West Division\u2019s top defensive player.<\/p>\n The East Division nominees are Julian Howsare (Hamilton Tiger-Cats), Cameron Judge (Toronto Argonauts), Jovan Santos-Knox (Ottawa REDBLACKS) and Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund (Montreal Alouettes).<\/p>\n