By Geoff Crane
Stampeders.com 

One of the many trademarks of the John Hufnagel-led Stampeders has been strong drafting.

That trend continued this year as quite a few recent picks made the lineup and played some meaningful snaps.

With the departure of some key players from last year’s Grey Cup Championship squad and the injuries that inevitably occur during a regular season, the door was open for some new faces to come in and make an impact.

Will Langlais was drafted in the third round of the 2015 Canadian Draft out of Sherbrooke and was going to be looked to for his special-teams prowess.

A defensive player converted to fullback in college, Langlais has dressed for all but one game for the Red and White, recording 11 tackles on special teams.

“When I came here, I tried not to have too big of expectations,” says the Hull, Que., native. “I just wanted to do my best and see where things went.

“Things went pretty well and I ended up playing in the first game of the season.”

In a league with deadly game-changers such as Hamilton’s Brandon Banks and Montreal’s Stefan Logan, special-teams coverage is critical to success.

As he’s developed, Langlais credits his veteran teammates with taking him under their wings and helping him learn the game.

“I have great teammates this year in Jon Cornish and especially Rob Cote,” says Langlais.

“(Cote) is a great player, always in the spot. He knows his assignments and is a really good player. Someone I definitely look up to.”

Another player coming off a solid rookie season is 2014 draftee Derek Wiggan.

The defensive lineman also credits the Stamps veterans in helping him develop into a regular contributor.

“It’s things like watching how they interact in the film room, on the field, how much study in involved,” says the Queen’s product.

“I’ve learned so much from those guys. It’s been a pleasure just to be a part of how they prepare and learn and I’ve been able to pick up some tips.”

The big topic of instruction of late has been preparations for the playoffs as the Stamps look to defend their 2014 title and become the fist team since the 2004 Montreal Alouettes to repeat as Grey Cup champions.

For Wiggan and Langlais, it would be special to make a deep run in the post-season in their first year. Not something that was necessarily a goal at the beginning of the season, but surely one now.

“I put my goals into set periods,” says Wiggan. “The first was training camp, so that was obviously to make the team. Once I made the team, it was to become a contributor, which I’ve managed to do.

“But there’s still more I feel I can contribute. When I’m watching film, I am leaving some plays out there, plays that I should make.”

“Playoffs are do or die,” says Langlais. “You know everyone is going to come with their A-game so you always have to do a little more to make that tackle or that block.

“Everybody told me that the intensity gets a little higher when guys want to win.”

These rookies are eager to get their first taste of high-pressure action in the Western Semi-Final when the BC Lions invade McMahon Stadium with a spot in the Western Final on the line.

With so much at stake, both rookies are ensuring they are prepared to step up when their numbers are called.

“Every mistake is bigger,” says Wiggan. “You don’t have a bunch of games to get it right. You either get it in this game or you’re out.

“There’s that pressure, but I welcome the pressure as does everyone else in the room. The stakes are higher and this is the type of games we want to be in.”

Langlais is ready for that pressure, too, with the opportunity to cap off an impressive rookie campaign with a championship ring.

“I just want to play the best I can and make some plays for sure. The goal is to win and I want to win.”