The Canadian Press
It’s hard to believe that Jonathon Jennings is just 24 years old.
It’s also hard to believe that just two seasons ago, Jennings was waiting in the wings behind Travis Lulay for an opportunity to take the reins of the BC Lions’ offence and call it his own.
Now, after proving his worth in 2015 after filling in for Lulay when the Lions then-starter went down with an injury followed by his stellar campaign in 2016, he’s in the conversation of being one of the best in the biz.
In the short time he’s played the Canadian game professionally – he has just two seasons under his belt – Jennings has earned a reputation around the league as a calm, steady hand under centre.
But for members of the Lions’ offence, full of veterans and younger players alike, his age is but a number.
“I just saw sparks of greatness,” veteran running back Jeremiah Johnson said of what he saw from the youngster in 2016. “Him being a young guy, we’re talking about young, this man’s ability to be a quarterback and to run an offence is amazing. What he’s able to do with the football at any given time most definitely makes me comfortable in saying I don’t have to go out there and try to make every single play.
“That being said, last year I was honoured to be alongside of him and he has nothing but positivity and greatness coming his way.”
RELATED
» Bio: Jonathon Jennings by the numbers
» Lions select McMaster’s Vandervoort 3rd overall
» Lions’ receiver Gore retires after seven seasons
That statement was the consensus amongst the Lions CFL.ca spoke with at Mark’s CFL Week in Regina back in March.
Johnson and recievers Bryan Burnham and Manny Arceneaux – all three of which were a part of Jennings’ offence last season that held the league’s best rushing record and fifth best in passing – all said the same thing: his ability to stay calm under pressure and high-level skill is far beyond his 24 years.
Perhaps the best example of how Jennings commands a huddle and can single-handedly turn a game around was the Western Semi-Final at BC Place.
Jennings started the contest on a sour note, throwing two picks, as he and his Lions found themselves down 28-12 in the third quarter. That’s when the Columbus, Oh. native took things into his own hands, first finding Terrell Sinkfield for a six-yard major late in the fourth quarter. Then, with a minute left on the clock, Jennings ran in the game-winning score to send his team to a meeting with the Calgary Stampeders in the Western Final.
“Down late, at the end of the game, everyone’s in the huddle like, ‘oh we have to do this, we have to do this.’” Burnham remembered. “He’s just like, ‘guys, relax. We’ve got this. Everyone just calm down.’ He’s the leader. For him to be a young guy coming in to take over the team like that it’s been huge. He’s definitely mature beyond his years.”
Jennings started all 18 games, including both playoff matches, for the Lions last season, completing 67 per cent of his passes for 5,226 yards and 27 touchdowns. His total passing yardage was the third best in the CFL, just behind Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell (5,385 yards) and Edmonton’s Mike Reilly (5,554 yards).
The Saginaw Valley product showcased his mobility throughout the season as well, escaping the pocket and rushing 68 times for 363 yards and four major scores (including the game-winner against Winnipeg in the Western Semi). His total rushing yards was the second most among quarterbacks, just behind Reilly.
He also had the third-highest passing total in team history, just behind Doug Flutie and Dave Dickenson, and is third all-time in completions in a season, trailing Flutie and Damon Allen in that category.
“He’s definitely mature beyond his years.”
Bryan Burnham
“He’s a risk taker and I like that,” said Arceneaux. “He’s working on things in his game that actually just put him in a category with some of the greats where you can compare him to a Mike Reilly or Bo Levi. He’s his own person, his own athlete. And to be in your year one and come in year two and three, however many years, and you’re in the talks with these guys, it’s tremendous.”
Taking risks was both a blessing and a curse for Jennings last season, tossing a league-worst 15 interceptions. But, just like in the Western Semi-Final, Jennings can learn from his mistakes quickly and bounce back to get his team back on track and that’s one of the many things his teammates admire about him.
“I think that Jennings was blessed with the opportunity to say, ‘listen, this is my show. Regardless of my little young, bonehead mistakes, this is how I’m going to get better.’”, Arceneaux said. “It’s just exciting to see him play 18 full weeks and carry us into the playoffs and hopefully get us to a Grey Cup to actually win.”
Jennings helped Arceneaux and Burnham to career seasons in 2016 as both wideouts caught over 1000 yards. The duo also were third and fourth in the CFL in receiving yards – just behind the two-headed monster in Edmonton of Derel Walker and Adarius Bowman. Arceneaux hit career marks in yards (1,566), receptions (105) and touchdowns (13) while Burnham did the same with 1,392 yards on 79 catches and three major scores.
Burnham says that his accomplishments last season were in large part due to having confidence in the man that was throwing to him.
“Having a guy like Jennings, where you know he’s going to put the ball where it needs to be so you’re not worried about that when you’re in the middle of your route,” Burnham said. “You know you’re going to come out and it’s going to be there. He’s a guy that doesn’t get flustered.”
With Jennings under centre once again when the season gets under way in just over a month, Burnham is confident that he and his teammates are in good hands.
“He’s just always cool, calm and collected,” Burnham said. “You know sometimes he’ll get that fire in him that you need as a quarterback sometimes to get the guys in line. He’s never a guy that’s going to point the finger and say, ‘you need to do better. You need to step up.’ He’s always going to see what he can do to help the team.”
Not bad for a guy that hasn’t even hit the quarter century mark yet.
