Time goes by fast when you’re having fun.

It’s been two years since Stampeders receiver Lemar Durant made his CFL debut – on July 18, 2015, against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, to be exact. It’s a game that feels like it was just yesterday for the 24-year-old.

“It’s so crazy, time flies for sure,” Durant said. “A lot has changed since then – I was really nervous getting ready to go by trying to hype myself up. Now I just feel like this is what I do and I feel comfortable out here.

“Before I was trying to make plays to get on the field, now it’s making plays to stay on it.”

Since his rookie year, Durant has become a reliable target for Bo Levi Mitchell, making plays consistently and racking up the yards to keep the chains moving. So far through the first four games of this season, the Vancouver product has amassed for 212 yards with 14 receptions to go along with a score, carrying over his strong play from last season.

“I’m definitely happy with my game so far,” Durant said. “Last couple of games, I felt like I had more opportunities to make plays but it’s just the way the game goes and sometimes it doesn’t go your way, but overall as a team we’re playing great.”

Photo by Scott Grant

Sometimes players have trouble finding their form once a new season starts, but Durant did everything he could to make sure his strong play form the end of the 2016 season carried over into 2017. His off-season regimen was basically the same with one small change.

“It was the same routine, the only difference was putting more of an emphasis on staying healthy,” Durant said. “That’s the biggest thing when you’re playing so many games and it’s a long season. The people who stay healthy are the ones that are the most successful.”

The Stamps have one of the most deep and dangerous receiving corps in the league, with each player having the ability to be a game-changer. Durant even believes there is still another level the receivers are all capable of reaching.

“It takes a lot of pressure off each guy when someone can step up,” Durant said. “Every week it’s a different guy because teams try to take away something and that opens up another receiver.

“We have guys on the practice roster that could come in and be a good starter in this league. We’re really deep at receiver and all just trying to make plays. We feel like we still haven’t played a complete game yet and I think we have another level or two to take it. Hopefully we get to that soon.”