Opportunity knocked.

And rookie James Vaughters answered.

Injuries to the Stampeders D-line last season gave the defensive end a chance to show the club what he could do.

He started 10 games, recording 26 defensive tackles, six special-teams tackles, and six sacks.

What to do for an encore?

With the departure of all-star defensive end Charleston Hughes, Vaughters will look to, and be relied on, to make an even bigger impact this season.

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To that end, Vaughters has been hard at work this off-season training at his alma mater – Stanford University.

“We have a pretty good setup out here at Stanford, we have a Pilates instructor, access to everything in the weight room, access to the field, and access to the coaching staff,” he said.

The main focus of his off-season workouts is to increase his agility.

“For the most part, I’ve been trying to work on my foot mechanics, foot quickness, hip capsule strength of mobility, and always trying to find better ways to unlock my core, whether it be my pelvic floor, or in my lower traps, and lower back area,” he explained.

The Stampeders have always operated with a ‘Next Man Up’ mentality, allowing youngsters and veterans to seamlessly insert themselves into the lineup when there are injuries.

It’s a strategy that has paid off, as in the case of Vaughters.

“I think our front office does a really good job of keeping guys up to speed at what is going on,” he said. “They’re expecting me to step up into a larger role and that’s something I am 100 percent locked in for and 100 percent trying to prepare for.”

“I’m always just trying to focus on my deficiencies and trying to increase my production based on what I already know about my body.

“Really your whole career is just a process of building on what feedback you get about your body, about your ability during the season, and just trying to turn deficiencies into strengths.”

In terms of goals for the upcoming season, he said he wants his stats to show more consistent production and double-digit tackles.

And, most importantly, he wants to win the Grey Cup.

“Our goal is always going to be championships and always going to be winning as many games as possible. We are mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared to make that push again and I really can’t wait to get the opportunity to do so.”