By Max Campbell

CALGARY — It didn’t take long for the Stamps’ second-round pick in the 2016 CFL Draft to switch allegiances.

A Mississauga, Ont., native, Juwan Brescacin grew up rooting for the nearby Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts but has no complaints whatsoever about heading west to dawn the Red and White.

“It means a lot to me,” the former Northern Illinois receiver said when asked about being selected by the Calgary Stampeders. “Growing up I was always a fan of Hamilton and Toronto but I’ve always watched the Stampeders and they’re always a team that has competed for the Grey Cup or has been in the running for it. I just want to be a part of something like that.

“I have family out in Calgary and just having that there for me is a big deal to me.”

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On the edge of his seat last Tuesday night waiting for his name to be called, Brescacin got word of his selection in a rather unique way. While the televised coverage of the draft concluded before his selection was announced, Brescacin was then following along online — but his friends and family beat him to the punch.

“My reaction was kind of interesting because we tried to get the draft on the computer and it kind of was frozen,” explained No. 15 overall pick and third wideout off the board. “People started calling and texting me saying I was a Stampeder before I even knew I was a Stampeder.

“When I finally saw it, I was really excited, but I had a feeling of relief knowing I was going to a great team with a great opportunity for me.”

Registering 88 receptions for 1,242 yards and 17 touchdowns over his last three seasons as a member of the Huskies, Brescacin is ready to prove his collegiate playing days have adequately prepared him for the next level. He’ll add another new look to a Stampeders receiving corps that has transformed this off-season, from the departure of league-leading receiver Eric Rogers to the addition of veteran CFLer Bakari Grant.

“I learned a lot during my college career,” the journalism major stated. “I think I came a long way and learned a lot about the fundamentals of playing receiver with route running and blocking and creating separation.

“I think a lot of the stuff that I learned in college and the competition that I faced will have me prepared for the pros.”

“I think a lot of the stuff that I learned in college and the competition that I faced will have me prepared for the pros.”

Juwan Brescacin

At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, Brescacin was first drawn to basketball before making the switch to the gridiron and feels as though his unique skill set is due in large part to his early days on the hardwood. If he can reflect that on the field, quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell will have plenty of big targets to throw to in 2016.

Brescacin joins Grant and Simon Charbonneau-Campeau as 6-foot-4 receivers on the roster, while another young player expected to contribute in Kamar Jorden stands 6-foot-3. Last year’s second round pick Lemar Durant is 6-foot-2 as size remains a recurring theme among receivers recruited and drafted by General Manager John Hufnagel.

“I think me playing basketball transitioned over for me really well because high-pointing the ball and having natural hands is something that I’ve realized isn’t as common as people might think it is,” offered the 23-year-old.

“Just playing basketball from a young age kind of makes football a natural fit for me, especially at the wide receiver position.”

The Stampeders selected linebacker Alex Singleton with the sixth overall pick in the first before taking Brescacin 15th overall in the second. This year they took only one offensive lineman but he could be an impactful one, as Concordia’s Roman Grozman was taken with the 33rd pick in the fourth round.

Hufnagel added seven new players to his team in total through the draft this year.

With files from CFL.ca