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“It’s crazy. It’s different though, but I like it,” said Batson, who already had to acclimatize himself from the humid 32 C weather he left behind in Houston — and, yes, he’s been warned of Canadian winters. “I’ve never been in snow. I’ve never physically picked up a snowball.

“I’m just excited to keep on playing and further my career. So I’ve got the opportunity. I’m here and it’s a blessing.

And one he could hardly have imagined for himself.

“To be honest, I wasn’t even familiar with the CFL,” Batson said. “Especially coming out of college, my whole brain was NFL. I wanted to play in the NFL, I didn’t know the CFL was this kind of game.

“It’s still fast-paced, there’s still a lot to learn. The talent level is still up there and professional football is professional football.”

Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia

So training camp has been a crash course for the six-foot-two, 205-pounder, who hasn’t looked out of place in a revamped receiving corps that is being tasked with finding replacements for an elite trio of Americans ­– Duke Williams, Derel Walker and Bryant Mitchell – who left through free agency in the off-season.

And all three have turned their time with the Eskimos into NFL opportunities at some point, with Williams currently with the Buffalo Bills and Mitchell with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While Batson’s sights may be set as high, he’s also made sure to keep himself grounded.

“I’m looking forward to representing these guys on the field, showing them what I can do and letting them know I can contribute in special teams, offence, wherever they need me,” he said. “Everybody’s new, I’m learning from the vets. I’m trying to pick their brains, they’ve been in the league. This is my first professional opportunity anywhere, so I’m trying to pick as much up as I can.”

For now, he is just enjoying the moment and challenging himself to keep improving and expanding his game.

“That’s another thing that’s different. Coming from college, I didn’t have that extensive passing game,” Batson said. “We were a run-heavy offence for the most part.

“Now, I love it. To actually be able to go out there and run, we’ve got Trevor Harris at quarterback. This is a good time.”

Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia

Email: gmoddejonge@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @GerryModdejonge