Capable Canadian
Nov 18, 2009 
Former St. Paul's Crusader Donovan Alexander wants to show that Canadians are capable of playing anywhere on the field.
Photo courtesy Saskatchewan Roughriders
by Matthew Kruchak
Donovan Alexander has overcome the stereotype of being a Canadian cornerback by proving he's a highly capable CFL cover man.
The 24-year-old Winnipegger earned a starting spot this season as the Saskatchewan Roughriders' wide-side corner, smashing the stigma that Canadians can't play on the outside in the CFL. It's quite the feat in a league where American corners are normally seen as far superior to their Canadian counterparts.
“I wanted to play well, just to show that Canadians can play anywhere on the field,” said Alexander, standing on the sidelines at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, where the Riders are preparing to play the visiting Calgary Stampeders in the CFL West final on Sunday.
But the six-foot, 181-pound corner has played better than well.
“He's been a terrific defensive back,” said Riders secondary coach Nelson Martin, as he headed off Taylor Field after practice. “He’s one of our most technically sound defenders – his body position, his stance, his transition out of his back peddle. He rarely missed or blew an assignment, and he’s not playing as a quote, ‘rookie.’”
Technically, Alexander isn’t a rookie. He suited up with the Montreal Alouettes for four games during the 2008 season after being selected in the third round (23rd overall) of the 2007 CFL Canadian Draft. He was traded in the off-season to the Riders for two future second round draft picks.
Alexander came into training camp this year with the goal of a roster spot and ended up earning a starting position. He went on to record 35 regular season tackles and a pair of fumble recoveries.
By outworking his competition on the field and in the film room, Alexander shed the Canadian corner stereotype, earning the respect of his teammates and the Riders' coaching staff.
“I wasn't expecting him to play at this level so early in his career,” Martin said. “You would expect him to make rookie mistakes, but we've got players on the field who are more experienced than him that have made mistakes with regards to coverages and he hasn't.”
Alexander's calling began at the age of nine when he suited up with the Charleswood Broncos. He played nose tackle, linebacker, quarterback and receiver before he was put out on the corner.
After his minor bantam career, he went on to help the St. Paul's Crusaders cruise to three high school championship games (2000, '01, '02) but would lose to the Oak Park Raiders each time. It's a ‘sore spot’ in Alexander's playing career but he's glad his alma mater defeated the Raiders to claim the 2009 Anavets Bowl.
From the football fields of Winnipeg, Alexander headed south down Highway 75 to play for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux in Grand Forks. Alexander had to prove that a Canadian could play corner, but growing up playing the northern game actually was an advantage.
“I found that playing Canadian football helped me out a lot,” he said. “It's really tough for a defensive back in the Canadian game – there's a lot of field out there, you can't really touch the receivers and you've got to give them a yard off the ball. It helped me a lot.”
Alexander redshirted his first season at UND. Having never lifted weights before, the 145-pound freshman started working out hard and focusing on his technique.
With blazing speed and aggressiveness, he proved he could play special teams and cracked the roster. He earned a starting spot his junior year and finished his senior season with 47 tackles and nine pass knockdowns. His play attracted the attention of NFL scouts and he signed with the Seattle Seahawks. He attended training camp but was released.
Alexander grew up a huge Winnipeg Blue Bombers fan and looked up to future CFL Hall of Famer Milt Stegall and fellow Winnipeggers Wes Lysack and Marcus Howell. He volunteered to sell 50/50 tickets just so he could go to games.
When Alexander signed with the Green and White it caused a bit of inner conflict. But as long as he's playing for the Roughriders he hopes the Bombers' Grey Cup drought continues.
“Playing in Winnipeg for the first time was fantastic,” he said. “I'd hate to bring it up to Winnipeg fans, but that was probably the biggest moment for me, beating them 55-10 and hearing all the fans booing them. It was just a good feeling that day.”
Alexander will be heading to Winnipeg sporting the Roughriders' logo for a couple more seasons. He's played so well this season that on Tuesday the Riders signed him to a two-year contract extension.
“He's becoming a terrific professional in studying his craft and always looking to improve,” said Martin, adding that he foresees the young corner one day making the CFL All-Star Team.
Matthew Kruchak is a reporter/web editor with the Regina Leader-Post. He covered the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the Canadian Press in 2008.
