Jumping over hurdles isn’t anything new for Kenneth Walker.

He’s been doing it for most of his life.

The 24-year-old former track star turned football player spent his college days at UCLA juggling school, football and track over the course of four years.

The venue and surroundings may be different but the Brookside, CA native is using what he learned from his track days to help him in get through training camp in the CFL.

“It really helped me to learn how to calm myself down in situations and big moments,” Walker said. “That was my challenge sometimes in college, I would get too anxious or nervous but now, I focus on staying calm and going with the flow.

“For me it’s all about taking it one day at a time instead of looking ahead. When the day comes, it comes. If you make it, that’s great. If you don’t, stay ready because you never know what will happen.”

In 45 games played with the Bruins, Walker ended his college career with 45 catches for 810 yards and seven touchdowns including 22 receptions for 365 yards and four majors during his senior season.

The track portion of his college career wasn’t supposed to be added on his plate but after the way things ended in high school, he couldn’t stop running.

“I told myself if I would’ve won state in high school that I wouldn’t run track anymore but I tripped over a hurdle and didn’t end up winning so I had to run in college,” he said. “I faced adversity when I hurt my back and had to step back from it for a year but once I was healthy again, I had to run again.

“I still want to run. I keep emphasizing that. I still want to run.”

But now Walker does most of his running on the football field.

It’s not uncommon now to see former track runners to transition over to the gridiron, and for Walker it was the path he knew – in the back of his mind – was perfect for him.

“I just felt in love with track once I started but once I got into football, I was in love with both which made it hard at first to just pick one over the other,” he said. “I’m still learning more about football each day but I know that it was the right choice for me.

“As long as I’m running full speed, I’m in my place.”

As the Stampeders gear up for Friday’s pre-season game at McMahon Stadium against the BC Lions, it’s crunch time to leave an impression on the coaches. And, although he’s out on the gridiron competing with others wanting the same, it’s all about the team first.

“End of the day we’re all teammates,” Walker said. “There’s no secret we’re competing for a job, but you still have to have each other’s back. It’s a moral thing. We’re all here to learn and push each other to get better and it’s an unbelievable group of unselfish players.

“There’s a lot of team camaraderie and it makes everything easier.”