A year ago at this time, I was waiting for the CFL Draft and wondering how things would turn out for me.

What I remember most about that is that is was probably one of the most nerve-wracking times in my life. It makes you anxious not knowing exactly how it was going to turn out and having no idea where I was going to go and where you’re going to be for the next six or seven months.

It’s also a time of excitement because I was rated fairly high and I was getting good feedback from the teams I spoke to who had seen me at the evaluation camp. I knew I was going to go somewhere so even though I was nervous, I was still excited knowing that I would end up somewhere.

It’s hard to believe that was a full year ago. My first year being in Calgary and playing for the Stampeders flew by so quickly. Even this off-season has gone by so quickly — I can’t fathom the thought that training camp is only four weeks away.

There’s a fellow I know who went to school just down the road from me at Waterloo who’s draft eligible this year. His name is Hugo Lopez and he lives right by me, so we do a lot of field work together. I can see him going through the exact same things I was last year. The only thing I can tell guys in that situation is that you never know what can happen. Just take it as it comes and whenever your name gets called, be excited about it and be ready to go.

My off-season has been great. Very productive. I’ve dedicated my life for the past few months to getting faster and stronger and leaner so that when training camp does get under way in a couple of weeks, I’ll be ready to show the coaches I’m ready to take the next step. I haven’t wasted a moment of this off-season.

When I’m not working out and preparing, I’m keeping an eye on the NBA playoffs. I love the Bulls. Over the past three years, Derrick Rose has become my favourite basketball player. I’m loving the Chicago Bulls and I’m hoping they can do it.

Looking forward to returning to Calgary very soon!

Taurean Allen, #0
>> Allen bio