Former Western Illinois receiver Jaelon Acklin (80) has flourished in the Canadian Football League this season. (photo courtesy of Hamilton Tiger-Cats)

Giving up short-term tastes in exchange for receiving long-term goals has Jaelon Acklin and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats sitting atop the Canadian Football League East Division standings.

After three collegiate seasons in which he caught a combined 21 passes at Western Illinois, Acklin made the most of his senior year.

"Once I quit soda and quit eating fast food, I was able to gain and really reach my full potential athletically," Acklin told Prairie State Pigskin earlier this week after practice. "I gave up the angus burger and fries from McDonald’s and Dr. Pepper."

Acklin's commitment to better nutrition helped lead to a All-American performance in which he set Western's single-season records with 84 receptions and 1,369 yards in 2017.

Last summer Acklin spent time in training camp with the NFL's Baltimore Ravens. However, a labrum tear in his hip ended that portion of his pro career and resulted in a late December surgery.

Facing a three-and-a-half month rehabilitation, Acklin spent time back in his hometown of Mountain View, Mo.

"I just wanted to play football. Once I got hurt with Baltimore and they released me with a settlement, it was a trying time because I wanted to be out there playing. Watching NFL Sundays with the family, you always want to be out there," he said. "I wanted to get back, and Hamilton was the first place to give me the opportunity."

The Tiger-Cats were no strangers to Acklin. Last October he had visited Hamilton, ironically watching the game in which former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel quarterbacked Montreal, the Ti-Cats' opponent that day.

The decision to head north

When the Hamilton front office reached out last winter, Acklin was itching to go.

"I had to speed up my rehab process, then I signed and came up to camp," he said.

Acklin has shaken off any ill effects from the injury.

"It gets tight once in awhile, but it doesn’t affect my game at all," he noted.

His performance backs Acklin up. Three games into the Canadian season, the 6-foot-2, 190-pounder ranks 14th among league leaders with 14 catches for 196 yards (14 yards per reception).

This past weekend, Acklin hauled in eight passes for a game-high 120 yards and scored his first CFL touchdown.

"I just ran up the field and (quarterback Jeremiah) Masoli rolled out. They were playing Cover 2 in the boundary, so I sat in the hole on the edge of the end zone and Masoli threw a perfect ball to me. I was fortunate to catch it and get both feet inbounds," Acklin said.

Acklin's first CFL touchdown (courtesy of cfl.ca)

Hamilton's next opponent is defending Grey Cup champion Calgary. The Stampeders feature former Illinois State quarterback-turned-defensive back Tre Roberson, who happens to lead the CFL with five interceptions in just two games.

"Yeah, I noticed that," Acklin said.

Western roundup

Acklin keeps in touch with former college teammate Sean McGuire, who is the No. 3 quarterback for the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers (playing behind veteran Matt Nichols and Crystal Lake native Chris Streveler).

"(Sean and I communicate) pretty much daily," Acklin said. "I’m happy for Sean because he worked so hard and I know what kind of player he is. He’ll get a shot eventually. You just have to be patient. I can’t wait to play against him, hopefully beat him, talk some smack. And then take a picture after."

Acklin also communicates with former WIU head coach Charlie Fisher (now the receivers coach at Arizona State) and Western assistant coach David Rocco.

"Those guys text me pretty regularly so I try to stay in touch with them as much as I can," Acklin said. "(Fisher) is a great guy and a one-of-a-kind coach. Probably the best coach I’ve ever been around."

Eating right & perhaps drinking from the Grey Cup

Acklin isn't one to rest of his early season success.

"I’ve got to keep up my consistency and keep making plays," he said. "My goal is to win a Grey Cup here, just do everything that I can. I don’t have a set goal to get back to the NFL. I just want to keep playing football to the best of my ability and whatever happens happens."

He also intends to keep his eating on the right path.

"I like to cook. I make salmon and broccoli and other vegetables. Chicken, bacon, eggs, protein-based plants and animals. That’s pretty much what I eat," he said. "But, I do cheat once in awhile as anybody who knows me knows. If I go back home my mom makes the world’s best cinnamon rolls. I have to tell my mom not to bake because I’ll have to eat it if I see it. My mom also makes sweet tea, and she’s the best at that in world. I have to stay away from the sugary drinks.

"As long as I keep making plays I can go without McDonald’s and Dr. Pepper; I’d rather score touchdowns than eating and drinking those things."