Zach Collaros excited to be part of ‘Canada’s team’

The Roughriders receiving corps is the stuff quarterbacks’ dreams are made of, but it’s not a dream for Zach Collaros anymore.

The 29-year-old quarterback became a member of the Green and White last week when the Tiger-Cats traded him to Saskatchewan in exchange for the 10th overall pick in this year’s draft.

Hamilton and Collaros struggled off the top of the season and a decision was made once head coach June Jones took over the team to bench him in favour of Jeremiah Masoli.

“I didn’t play as well as I would have liked, personally. As a team, we didn’t reach the goals that we had set out in the preseason … obviously, it’s well documented we didn’t start the season off very well and I didn’t finish the season, so — from a personal standpoint — it was tough,” Collaros said of his 2017 season.

Suffices to say, Collaros is looking forward to a new opportunity in Saskatchewan.

“This is Canada’s team. This is quite the atmosphere to play as an opponent in and I’m really looking forward to being on the same team now.”

And what’s not to look forward to?

Between 2016 to 2017, the Riders doubled their season wins, and added big pieces to their offensive and defensive line. Plus, the team has one of the best — if not the best — receivers in the league.

Collaros knows that.

“There’s a lot of talent here — guys who have played at a high level in this league before. As a quarterback, you kind of salivate sitting back and looking at (those receivers),” he said.

However, there’s no guarantee he’ll be the quarterback throwing to them. The Roughriders recently signed Brandon Bridge to a contract extension and still have three other quarterbacks on contract.

Collaros said there have been no conversations with the Rider coaching staff about where he falls on the depth chart, but even if there had been, he plans on approaching training camp in May the same way he always does.

“I’m shutting up and I’m competing. It’s what everybody does — it’s what every quarterback does. I don’t think anybody, even if they tell you you’re the starter, comes in … all nonchalant. You’re coming there and if you don’t have the fire in your belly to play the game at a high level, you’re going to get passed up. I’m just excited to get back on the football field and compete.”

Collaros will wear number 17 with the Green and White.

Crezdon Butler, the number’s previous owner, will move to jersey number five.