Tyler Digby has the potential to be a thorn in the side of Roughnecks and Stampeders fans for years to come.

Yes, you read that right.

The current Vancouver Stealth rookie forward has been one of the biggest surprises this season, scoring 14 goals and 26 points over 8 games, while displaying very soft hands.

Those soft hands might come in handy for the Ottawa REDBLACKS sometime down the line.

During the last CFL Entry Draft, the expansion franchise made Digby their last draft pick in the fourth round.

The 6-foot-3, 230 lb righty played both sports at Robert Morris University, excelling enough to be drafted in both leagues.

A third round pick from the Stealth, Digby earned the NLL Rookie of the Month award in his first month of eligibility.

“He’s a really big body, a really strong kid,” said Roughnecks Andrew McBride, who has faced off against Digby once in his pro career. “He’s uses the bulrush really well coming in, but he’s demonstrated softer hands than what I thought he had. He’s brimming with confidence.

“He’s a guy we are really going to have to contain, get good physical matchups because he is a big, big boy to handle.”

Now the odds of him becoming a star with the REDBLACKS are not as great as the Stealth. According to an interview he did with the Ottawa Sun, he hasn’t played Canadian football in a long time.

He was a tight end in college, which is not a common position in the CFL. Andrew Bucholtz from the Yahoo 55-Yard Line blog speculates Digby could be successful as a rover, lining up as a tight end, slot receiver or fullback depending on the situation.

No one knows about his CFL aspirations now, but what we do know is that the next NLL Rookie of the Year could be coming to town on Saturday.

Three Players to Watch
1. Rhys Duch: He’s the focal point of the Stealth offense, and his team struggled last weekend without him around due to suspension. He’s back, and looking on his 18 goals, 17 assists, 35 points stat line.
2. Tyler Richards: His five losses might not show it, but he’s having another one of his seasons between the pipes. There is a reason why he’s considered one of the top goalies in the circuit.
3. Cliff Smith: The Stealth enjoy using big forwards, and Smith is one of those to fit the mould. He sized up at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, and he’s tied for third on the team in scoring his 11 goals and 24 points.

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