Regina seemed like home away from home for Corey Watman.

In three seasons, the 27-year-old felt comfortable enough to put down roots in the capital city of Saskatchewan. It was a very good fit except for one thing — the chance to start as a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

So, despite his upbringing in Queensville, and in the backyard to the Toronto Argonauts, it came as a bit of bittersweet opportunity for the 27-year-old offensive lineman when, as a free agent, he signed a two-year contract with the Eastern Division franchise in the off-season. He had little choice to view the opportunity as anything other than job advancement.

“I intended to stay in Saskatchewan for my entire career,” said Watman in a phone interview from Regina, as the Argos prepared for tonight’s clash with the B.C. Lions in Vancouver after defeating the Roughriders 30-17 last Thursday. “I didn’t want to leave, but the opportunity to start in my hometown was too much. “

The fourth overall pick in the Canadian Football League draft in 2013, Watman was mired in a situation in which the Roughriders’ excellent offensive line presented few immediate opportunities. He signed with the Argos as a free agent in February, leaving behind the Prairie town where he put down stakes, but could not get the desired playing time.

Last season in Regina, Watman played in 18 games, including only four starts. He also saw time at tight end and on special teams. Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Lions were also in the mix for the services of the six-foot, two-inch, 294-pound Watman.

“It’s just better to get more snaps,” said the Huron Heights Warriors’ graduate who went on to play on a scholarship at Eastern Michigan University. “I was basically waiting for older guys to get injured and got tired of that.

“It turns out I might have started this season, but hindsight is 20-20. I’m happy and it is paying off.”

For now, Watman is renting out his Regina house to Roughriders’ players.

And spending a few extra days in his second home city between road games is a bonus as he has had an opportunity to hang out with former teammates. He also attended the wedding of one of his former Roughriders comrades on the weekend.