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“He’s a lot different than I thought he was,” the coach said. “I go based off the fans of Saskatchewan. So I assume the players are like the fans. I figure, OK, how’s Willie? But Willie’s not like them at all. This is good.”

Young laughed, perhaps realizing that comment will only make things worse for him in the next Labour Day Classic.

“I can’t speak enough about his personality,” Young continued. “He’s going to add a huge element based on who he is as a person. He’s not coming in here as this all-star that thinks he’s going to be the man, so to speak. He’s just coming here to do the job that he’s able to do with the ability he has to win a Grey Cup.”

Entering his fourth season with the Bombers, Young sounds almost awestruck by Jefferson’s ability.

“He’s as smooth as I’ve ever seen a guy coming off the edge,” he said. “Usually when you’re longer-armed, longer-limbed, you lumber a little bit more. He has the ability with his hands to be as quick as a cat. You couple it with how tall he is… he’s almost impossible to block.

“When I watch him, it’s like, wow – that’d be devastating for a guy to have to worry about him.”

The questions Young had about Jefferson’s personality may have been fuelled in part by a play in last year’s Banjo Bowl, when Jefferson picked off a Matt Nichols pass and ran 97 yards for a touchdown – hotdogging and taunting over the final 40 yards.

“I already talked to him about that,” Young said, chuckling. “That’s his personality. I don’t try to diminish anyone’s personality as a football player. That’s what makes them who they are. If you try to take something away from somebody, they won’t be as great as you want them to be. You can’t put somebody in a box.”