It’s the moment every rookie has been waiting for.

The journey to the pros is a tasking one for a rookie. From the training sessions and the combine testing to absorbing a new playbook and trying to make an impression at camp – it all leads to this: your first game as a pro.

Third-round draft selection Clark Barnes is looking forward to seeing his first-ever Canadian Football League game action tomorrow afternoon in a battle of Alberta matchup against the visiting Edmonton Elks.

“I’m excited,” Barnes said with a wide grin. “I’ve been waiting my whole life to play pro football and I’m excited to just go out and make plays with the guys. It’s unreal, honestly. I can’t wait.”

The former Guelph Gryphons receiver made 38 catches for 516 yards and six touchdowns in 14 regular-season games at his alma mater. He also played special teams for the Gryphons and had 23 kickoff returns for 710 yards and four touchdowns. Barnes was a second-team Ontario University Athletics all-star in 2021 after amassing 23 catches for 345 yards and five majors.

With 11 days at camp under his belt, the rookie is settling into the Stampeders system and he’s ready to put his skills to the test at the pro level.

“I’m evolving as who I am and I’m getting a lot more comfortable,” said the 22-year-old. “Before, I was thinking about ‘What are my routes? What’s the formation?’ and now I can actually get into it and think about how I’m going to run my route pre-snap and I can just focus on playing ball.”

The talent pool of Canadian receivers on the Red and White roster is overflowing. Including Barnes, receivers coach Nik Lewis’ national depth chart consists of Luther Hakunavanhu, Colton Hunchak, Rysen John, Tyson Middlemost, Cole Tucker and Jalen Philpot who’s currently sidelined due to a hamstring injury.

For Barnes, the camaradarie amongst the national pass-catchers has helped them develop their game.

“It’s good to see that we have a whole lot of Canadians and we’re helping each other out,” said the Brampton, Ont,. native. “We know the game. There’s stuff that we (specifically) have learned growing up in the Canadian game that has made us succeed. It’s a great group of guys, the receiving corps has been gelling really good. I love it, it’s been great.”

While he’s ecstatic just to be hitting the turf tomorrow, the rookie is willing to make a big impact on the offence.

“Of course, I want to get into the endzone” he said, “but I’m cool with anything honestly.

“I want to make some plays though; it’s going to be really fun. I’m just happy to get out there and play football again. It’s been a long time.”

Kickoff goes at 2 p.m. MT here at McMahon Stadium. You can purchase tickets to the game here.