Considering he started the 2019 season as the second-string quarterback with Saskatchewan, Cody Fajardo had a meteoric rise to prominence when he was pressed into service after the third play of the season…to the point that he is the C-F-L’s all-star pivot.

Fajardo was one of five Roughriders named to the league’s “Dream Team”…the others being receiver Shaq Evans, centre Dan Clark, defensive end Charleston Hughes and linebacker Derrick Moncrief. In addition, Willie Jefferson, Stanley Bryant and Winston Rose have even more reason to celebrate. The three Blue Bombers were named C-F-L all-stars three days after Winnipeg won the Grey Cup. Following is the news release from the Riders…

DATE: November 27, 2019

RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY

RELEASE: SR19-135

FIVE ROUGHRIDERS NAMED CFL ALL-STARS

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are pleased to announce that five of their players have been chosen to the CFL All-Star team. Three players from the Green and White were selected on offence, and two were selected on defence.

The CFL All-Stars were selected by members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and CFL head coaches. In total, 49 voters contributed to the selection of the 27 all-stars.

Cody Fajardo (Quarterback): After being pressed into action in the first game of the 2019 season, Cody Fajardo took the ball and ran with it – quite literally – leading the Roughriders to a 13-5 record and first place in the West Division for the first time since 2009. The first-year starter led the league with 4,302 passing yards. Fajardo threw for 18 touchdowns in 2019 and added an additional 611 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He was named a Top Performer of the Week in weeks three, eight and 20. Fajardo was also named the West Division’s Most Outstanding Player.

Shaq Evans (Receiver): Registering 72 receptions for 1,334 receiving yards and five touchdowns, Shaq Evans had an incredible 2019 season. Evans is a master at the 50/50 ball and is a threat every time he steps on the field, earning more than 100 yards receiving in six games this season including a 193-yard game against Winnipeg. He led the CFL in average yards per catch at 18.6 and in 30+ yard receptions with 15. Evans was named Top Performer of the Week in weeks six and 17.

Dan Clark (Centre): Clark has been a veteran leader for the Riders this season, supporting his teammates on and off the field. A stalwart on an offensive line that saw many changes due to injury, Clark anchored a fierce group that allowed just 37 sacks. The offensive line also opened holes for the run game, which averaged 112.8 yards per game for a total of 2,030 yards and a league-high 26 rushing touchdowns. After overcoming injuries from a serious car accident before training camp, Clark went on to play every game this season, including his 100^th career game on July 27 against the BC Lions. Clark was the Roughriders 2019 nominee for Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.

Charleston Hughes (Defensive End): Hughes continued to wreak havoc on CFL quarterbacks this season, amassing a league-leading 16 sacks, while also adding 50 tackles, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries – one of which he returned for a touchdown. Hughes was named CFL Top Performer of the Month in July and September and a Top Performer of the Week in week six. He’s ranked eighth among all-time league leaders for sacks with a career total of 130. This is Hughes’ eighth time as a West Division All-Star after being named in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Hughes was the Roughriders 2019 nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

Derrick Moncrief (Cover Linebacker): Moncrief made 2019 his best season yet. The versatile linebacker recorded a career-high 69 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, three interceptions, four sacks, and one forced fumble. Moncrief played his best game of the season against the rival Winnipeg Blue Bombers making six defensive tackles, one quarterback sack and one interception during the Labour Day Classic.

A full list of the 2019 CFL All-Stars is below.

2019 CFL ALL-STARS

* Denotes a national player