Receiver Hartley pushing for spot on roster
With the first two catches (for 57 yards) of his CFL career in last season’s 31-20 East Division semifinal loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Ottawa Redblacks receiver Austen Hartley added some numbers to the stats side of his bio.
Now in his second year of his professional career, the 22-yearold former Calgary Dino, a sixthround draft pick of the Redblacks in 2017, is hoping to do enough in training camp to add to those numbers with additional playing time.
“It was good to get in (last season), hopefully come pre-season I’ll get some good work in,” said Hartley following Tuesday morning ’s practice session at TD Place.
“Training camp Round 2 has been easier mentally and a bit physically without rookie camp. But it’s the same in that you have to come out and compete for your spot again — so not too much has changed. There might be one extra dress spot for a Canadian on offence, but everyone’s trying to compete and get those two spots (at receiver).”
Redblacks coach Rick Campbell likes what he sees.
“He’s had a good camp so far,” Campbell said. “He’s a quiet kid, which doesn’t bother me at all. He’s been showing up to work every day and he’s caught every ball that’s been thrown his way. He’s in the mix. We’re going to keep an open mind and see who rises to the top. Those guys that do rise to the top will have an opportunity to play.”
Hartley resumed his schooling in the off-season (he’s in mechanical engineering ) and has one more semester remaining.
“It’s going to be my post-football life,” he said. “I’ll worry about that later, but I’m going to just keep chipping away at football — that’s No. 1 right now. Your window of time to play football is very small so I’m just trying to make the most of it. I’m living out the dream, it’s good.”