They may not be on the official roster, but Brendan Barnes and Dylan Schrot are living the dream.
The two members of the Canadian Junior Football League’s Calgary Colts have been taking part in Stampeders practices throughout the season, refining their skills and contributing whenever needed.
On the recommendation of their head coach, both players have earned the chance to hit the practice field alongside the Stamps as up-and-coming prospects with definite potential.
“It was my head coach, Matthew Blokker for the Colts,” stated Schrot, a receiver, when asked about his initial offer to rub shoulders with the Red and White. “I was scouted to practice (with the Stampeders) last year but I had torn my ACL. But the recovery went well enough that I was able to come back this season and take advantage of this opportunity.”
Calgary Colts receiver Dylan Schrot during Stampeders practice
As for Barnes, the offensive lineman committed to the University of Calgary Dinos program after graduating from nearby Centennial High School in 2015. In addition, he was one of only two Albertans invited to Montana’s East-West Shrine game last summer after first representing Canada in the U18 International Bowl played at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
“I was actually at U of C last year with the team and school kind of seemed to fall through a little bit,” described Barnes. “So I was taking a little bit of a break from things, and Coach (Blokker) from the Colts actually called me up saying that the Stamps were interested in a guy and they were looking at O-line in particular. He said, ‘Here’s the deal, here’s what’s going on’ and I accepted it.”
Schrot, a Winnipeg native, played for the CJFL’s Vancouver Island Raiders before transferring to the Colts. Now nearly two months into his practice stint at the professional level, the 22-year-old continues to welcome the input and advice he’s been receiving from Stampeders players and coaches alike.
“It’s quite a different pace than playing junior,” Schrot remarked. “It’s different, and a great learning experience. The biggest thing for me would be detail and route-running. Learning from guys like Bakari Grant and Quay (Marquay McDaniel) and Greg Wilson, they’ve all helped me out getting up to game speed. Even (receivers) coach (Pete) Costanza as well, helping me out in the film room. But again, like I said, it’s just nailing down the details.”
Offensive lineman Brendan Barnes during a drill at Stampeders practice
His recent involvement with the Stamps has Barnes more confident than ever heading for the Colts’ upcoming campaign, which kicked off Saturday in Edmonton with a 23-2 win over Wildcats. But if it’s up to him, Barnes will continue to seek gridiron glory by someday becoming a permanent fixture in a CFL locker room.
“It’s nice when you’re slowly picking up on things and then you finally get it and you have everyone give you a ‘good job’ and a pat on the back,” Barnes expressed. “I would love to make it professionally.”