The 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg is set to feature a compelling quarterback storyline that transcends a typical championship matchup. This Sunday at Princess Auto Stadium, Saskatchewan Roughriders veteran Trevor Harris will face off against Montreal Alouettes' rising star Davis Alexander, a mere three years after they shared a quarterback room as teammates.
From Mentor to Opponent
The year was 2022 when their paths first converged. Harris, then with the Montreal Alouettes, provided a masterclass in professionalism for a rookie Alexander, who had just arrived from college. Alexander, now the established starter for the Alouettes, recalls the immense influence Harris had on his early CFL career.
"The way I went about it, just being the third string and just learning so much is, I tried not to honestly ask too many questions," Alexander reflected this week in Winnipeg. "That's like one of the most perfect guys you can role model your work ethic off of."
He vividly remembers the marathon study sessions that defined his rookie year. "The three quarterbacks, we'd be in the facility till about 6:30, 7:00 some nights; you know 13-, 14-hour days," Alexander said. "He helped me with my work ethic and just helped me become a professional."
A Rookie's Competitive Fire
For his part, Harris didn't need long to recognize the unique talent and drive in the young quarterback. He saw beyond the physical attributes—the strong arm and the build "like a brick house"—and identified a fierce competitor from the very beginning.
"He was very impressive," Harris recalled. "Through training camp, he was doing the right things, finding completions." That early potential was confirmed during pre-season games where Alexander led game-winning drives, proving his clutch capabilities.
Harris noted that this intensity wasn't confined to the football field. "Even just playing like mini-hoop basketball in the locker room, he was always competing super hard, and he'd get super upset if he'd lose," Harris said with apparent admiration.
The Path to a Grey Cup Showdown
Alexander's journey to this championship stage required patience. After spending the 2022 and 2023 seasons primarily as a depth player with limited game action, his breakthrough came last season when he stepped in for an injured Cody Fajardo. That opportunity, which included a memorable comeback victory over these very Roughriders, ignited a streak of 13 consecutive victories as a starter that continues into this Grey Cup appearance.
His performance earned him a three-year contract extension and solidified his role as Montreal's franchise quarterback this season. Now, the student must face his former mentor with the CFL's ultimate prize on the line.
As both teams finalize their preparations in Winnipeg, this quarterback duel adds a deeply personal layer to the Grey Cup narrative. It's a testament to the league's interconnected community and the passing of torch from one generation to the next, now playing out on Canadian football's biggest stage.
