Juwan Brescacin might be one of the newest members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. But like the rest of his new teammates, he believes he has something to prove this season.
The Canadian receiver joined the SportsCage with Michael Ball on Friday to talk about the opportunity that awaits him in 2023.
On the opening day of free agency, the Roughriders were able to agree to terms with the former Northern Illinois Huskie.
Brescacin said that he heard a lot of great things about playing in Saskatchewan from his former teammates in Calgary.
“They always said if you want an experience like no other, Saskatchewan is the team to play for. ”
The 30-year-old will be looking to bounce back in 2023. After a career season in 2018 with the Stampeders where he posted career highs with 35 receptions and 567 receiving yards, Brescacin has struggled to remain in the lineup.
He appeared in four games with the Stampeders in 2019 and then signed with the Toronto Argonauts in 2020. During his two years with the double blue, he had 11 receptions for 97 yards in 11 games.
Brescacin says that his main goal for the upcoming campaign is to remain healthy and contribute to the green and white offence.
“From a football standpoint I feel like I bring size, hands and ability to play football and make plays. ”
Off the field, the receiver says that he enjoys getting involved with the community and is looking forward to working with his teammates both on and off the field.
A familiar face that awaits the two-time Grey Cup champion when he arrives to the Roughriders locker room is receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker. The two have known each other for nearly 20 years and Brescacin says that Schaffer-Baker was like a little brother to him as they spent significant amount of time training together.
“Being able to see the player that he’s become has been a blessing.”
One colleague the Mississauga product is excited to work with in 2023 is the Roughriders new quarterback, Trevor Harris. Brescacin said it will be a nice change to be on the same side as Harris after competing against him for many years.
“I had the opportunity to play against him in Grey Cups, I had the opportunity to play against him in regular season games, just to see the way he spreads the ball around, gives guys opportunity to make plays and I’ve heard nothing but great things about him.”
A new team will likely mean a new number for Brescacin. After wearing #11 with the Argonauts, he knows that he will be changing numbers with linebacker Larry Dean already owning #11.
” I don’t have any plans of asking him to give me that number.”
The only number that Brescacin is worried about in 2023 is the amount of wins for the Roughriders this year.
