Blue Bombers top draft choice adjusting to CFL game as rookie camp begins

WINNIPEG — A total of 46 players took to the field for the opening day of Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ rookie camp.

Among them was the Blue Bombers top draft pick Trent Corney after signing his first professional contract just 24 hours earlier.

“I had a little bit anxiety going into this practice cause I wasn’t sure what it was going to be like, how I was going to size up,” said Corney.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I had a little bit anxiety going into this practice cause I wasn't sure what it was going to be like, how I was going to size up," said Corney.

Corney, 22, now has his first CFL practice under his belt but he’s still a little sour over not getting an NFL contract.

“I’m a little angry with what happened with the whole NFL thing and I’m just ready to basically have a lot of success in the CFL,” Corney said.

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Corney played the last four seasons at the University of Virginia and it will probably take some time to fully make the transition to the Canadian game.

“It’s definitely an adjustment,” said Corney. “I haven’t played it since high school, different than the American game. I kind of lined up offside a few times today in practice but I don’t think it will take very long before I get re-adjusted.”

WATCH: Trent Corney Raw Interview

2:27 Winnipeg Blue Bombers Trent Corney

“He’s a young guy and like I said he had a pretty good first day,” said head coach Mike O’Shea.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "He's a young guy and like I said he had a pretty good first day," said head coach Mike O'Shea.

Considering he’s a rookie with a Canadian passport there’s a good chance Corney will start the season backing up another non-import in Jamaal Westerman but nothing is written in stone. And Corney did not look at all out of place in the 1-on-1 drills on the opening day of rookie camp.

“I did really well in those two – 1 on 1’s,” said Corney. “I won both of them.”

“We’re sticking with our mantra of making sure that there’s good competition across the board so that we leave training camp and enter that first week of the season with the best team possible,” O’Shea said.

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“Hopefully I can bring the energy they need to hopefully make it to the Grey Cup,” said Corney.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Hopefully I can bring the energy they need to hopefully make it to the Grey Cup," said Corney.

The three-day rookie camp continues on Thursday with veterans set to report for physicals on Saturday.

WATCH: Mike O’Shea media briefing Wednesday

5:37 Winnipeg Blue Bombers Mike O’Shea