CFL’s top defender Sherritt signed through 2015 by Edmonton

FROM STAFF AND NEWS SERVICE

REPORTS

The Edmonton Eskimos announced they had signed the Canadian Football League’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year, J.C. Sherritt, to a contract extension. That keeps the former Eastern Eagle out of free agency in February. The new deal will keep Sherritt in Edmonton through the 2015 season. Terms of the contract will not be disclosed.

“When I found out that (general manager) Ed (Hervey) and (head coach) Kavis (Reed) were going to be coming back and be running this organization, it was really a no-brainer for me to come back to Edmonton,” Sherritt told the Edmonton Journal.

“JC personifies what is meant when we say “Eskimo Way.” He is an extremely talented player who has character beyond reproach,” head coach Kavis Reed said in a news release. “He is a core player who will help us in our championship quest.”

Sherritt initially signed with Edmonton on April 20, 2011 as a free agent. The Eastern Washington product made an immediate impact, racking up 74 tackles, three quarterback sacks and was named the Western Division nominee for Rookie of the Year.

In 2012, Sherritt made a league-leading and recording-setting 130 tackles. He also recorded three sacks, three special teams tackles, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two knockdowns and five interceptions for 56 yards.

His stellar performance garnered him 49-of-57 votes cast by CFL coaches and members of the Football Reporters of Canada to win the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year Award.

“It seems like every year, there’s something that’s supposed to be really pressure packing,” Sherritt said. “You come off a great rookie year, how do you handle that? You come out of college winning a league championship, how do you handle that?

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of pressure filled things. As a player you’ve got to thrive off of and enjoy it.”