A new country and new game style presents a new opportunity for Julian Wilson.

On Tuesday, the Stampeders signed the defensive back to the practice roster to add depth, and Wilson was ecstatic to put pen to paper.

“It feels really great to be here,” Wilson said. “It’s a great group of guys and vibe and I’m just trying to learn everything to get accustomed to the game and enjoy Canada overall.

“I want to be the biggest asset to this team as much as I can. Whether it’s on special teams, defence or offence, I want to get on the field and help the team get better.”

Although this is his first time being north of the border, there was a familiar face in the Stamps locker room in returner Roy Finch as the University of Oklahoma Sooners products once again find themselves on the same team.

“It’s great to come up here and know somebody in a completely different country,” Wilson said. “I haven’t seen him in a while. It was really good to see him and that’s who I’ll spend a lot of my time with.

“I talked to him to help get a jump start for myself on things and what to expect before coming up here.”

The Oklahoma City native has taken to the field with his new teammates and is ready to learn all about the CFL after spending some time on NFL practice rosters.

“It’s the little things about the game that I am getting used to,” Wilson said. “From the extra man on the field, to the receivers getting a running start, I’m catching on really quick. I like the way things are going.”

Wilson had a later start in football, debuting in the sport during his freshman year at Southmoore High School in Moore, Okla., playing both defensive back and receiver.

During his four -year college career, Wilson played on the defensive side of the ball and finished with 99 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and four interceptions, to go along with 15 pass breakups.

“When I got to college, my coaches told me (defence is) where I would be playing and stuck with it,” he said. “The league is changing to bigger defensive backs. There are a lot of six-two receivers, but not a lot of six-two defensive backs. That was the mindset that I kept in mind to stick with the position.”

It’s a decision that has since paid off for the 25-year-old, and now he is determined to showcase what he can do.

“You have to learn the ins and outs of football and, once you get it, you just go out there and have fun,” he said.