‘Special from the get-go’: Former coach felt Schaffer-Baker could succeed in CFL

While some might be shocked by Kian Schaffer-Baker’s recent CFL performances, Steven Frake isn’t one of them.

Frake is now the receivers coach at Wilfrid Laurier University, but before that, he was on the coaching staff with the University of Guelph Gryphons. He was Schaffer-Baker’s coach for three of the receiver’s four years at the school.

“There was something special with Kian from the get-go and his work ethic coming in and how seriously he took his training certainly stood out,” Frake said.

“What once again stood out to me when he first started playing is that the first guy was never able to bring him down. He was never tackled by the first defender.”

That was on full display in the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ 30-16 win over the Toronto Argonauts on Sept. 17.

Schaffer-Baker caught a pass and ran through multiple Argonaut defenders to get into the end zone for his first CFL touchdown.

“I texted him and said, ‘It’s amazing to still see you doing that at the next level against professionals.’ He’s just tough to bring down,” Frake said.

While Schaffer-Baker has the size needed to succeed in the CFL — 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds — he didn’t go into the 2020 CFL draft with the most eye-popping of stats.

In his final season at Guelph, Schaffer-Baker caught 22 passes for 364 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.

“He had some injuries (in his college career) and during those years we were blessed with a really good receiving corps as well and we were able to spread the ball around,” Frake said. “As you’ve seen, he certainly makes the most out of the catches he does make.”

But Schaffer-Baker impressed with the eyes of CFL scouts on him, catching five passes for 126 yards and a touchdown in the 2020 U Sports East-West Bowl.

While his physical attributes were a key part of his success, Frake also praised Schaffer-Baker’s overall attitude.

“He’s such a nice, young man. The other thing that stood out to me was that he was never too high and never too low, just always even-keeled and that was special to me as well,” Frake said.

Schaffer-Baker was taken by the Riders in the fourth round (30th overall) of the 2020 CFL draft. Frake said Saskatchewan was a good place for Schaffer-Baker to land because of the history the Riders have when it comes to Canadian receivers.

“I think Saskatchewan was pleasantly surprised he was still around then. He certainly would have liked to go higher,” Frake said. “Canadian receivers get a good opportunity there.”

But with the COVID-19 pandemic leading to the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season, Schaffer-Baker had to wait a year to make the jump to the pros.

“With the last couple years of COVID and everything, there was the unknown factor – you didn’t know how people were going to come out after being a part of two draft classes,” Frake said.

During the extended off-season, Schaffer-Baker trained with someone who CFL fans are well acquainted with – former CFL receiver Chad Owens.

While Schaffer-Baker impressed throughout camp with his downfield speed, the Riders have used him more of a possession receiver. He has caught 21 passes for 256 yards in the four games he’s played due to injuries to wide receiver Shaq Evans and slotback Jordan Williams-Lambert.

Schaffer-Baker will try to continue to build on those games against the B.C. Lions on Friday. Kickoff for the game is set for 8:30 p.m.

“That’s the beauty of him – he can do it all. He’s so long and athletic that you can stretch him and put it up for him with the confidence he’s going to come down with it,” Frake said. “But he’s got enough finesse through his route-running game that you can tell him to go run those eight-yard (routes) and he will be open and ready to catch the ball and get upfield.

“He can provide you with all aspects of the game that you want out of that position.”

Frake said the one thing he looks for is what receivers do when they aren’t being thrown the ball.

“Are you looking to block to get the guy next to you an extra 10 to 15 yards for a touchdown? Or spring the running back?” Frake said.

As Schaffer-Baker’s former coach, Frake is ecstatic to see the receiver finding early success in the CFL.

“I’m thrilled for him, as you are with any player that moves on. As you get to know them outside of football and just knowing the kind of person he is and how important family is for him, I’m just absolutely thrilled for him,” Frake said.

“I can’t wait to see what he does next.”