Young Stampeders hoping to be on the receiving end a lot this season
After an exodus of veteran receivers, the Calgary Stampeders are turning their sights to some rising new wide outs in 2021.
Over the off-season, the Stampeders lost a lot of good veteran receivers from their 2019 squad: Eric Rogers and Juwan Brescasin signed with the Toronto Argonauts, while Reggie Begelton departed for the NFL, signing a contract with the Green Bay Packers.
Those three combined for over 2500 yards in 20219.
This year the Stamps will have a much younger receiving corps and players like Hergy Mayala, their first round pick in 2019 will have to pick up the slack.
Mayala says he's ready for the challenge.
"For me it's a big opportunity," the 25-year-old said.
"I know what those guys can do. I was at work with them every single day. Seeing what they did, I'm trying to emulate that and I know if I put in the same work and same dedication to this game you know ... those guys started somewhere and I've just got to step into that."
In 2019, his rookie season Mayala caught 38 passes for 562 yards and five touchdowns. Even though this will only be his second year in the league, Mayala is expecting to do some big things. He says he also wants to be a leader. He wants to help the younger receivers as much as he can.
Hergy Mayala, Stampeders receiver, July 12, 2021
"Kamar Jorden, Markeith Ambles and Richard Sindani are the only guys that have been there. Outside of them I'm the oldest veteran in there," Mayala said.
"When I look at them I see myself in 2019," he added, "so whatever I can give them, I'm definitely going to give it to them."
BO KNOWS PREPARATION
Another young receiver looking to take the next step is 23-year-old Calgarian Colton Hunchak. He's been learning a lot from quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell who has taken the young receiver under his wing and into his home. Hunchak says it's been good for both of them.
"Bo offered me the opportunity to move in with him two months ago because his wife and family are down in the United States," Hunchak said.
Colton Hunchak, Calgary Stampeders receiver
"We both felt like we want to work out with each other and push each other. So it was a good opportunity for me. I jumped at it right away."
Hunchak caught 16 passes for 231 yards in his rookie season in 2019. He says hanging around with Mitchell will definitely make him a better player in 2021.
"You know even just off the field and stuff. Seeing how he goes on a day to day basis as a pro and just that championship mentality day in and day out. It's great and it's trickling off onto me and it's been awesome."
The Stamps kick off the regular season on August 7 at home to the Toronto Argonauts.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.