The Toronto Argonauts are hosting a three-day rookie training camp at University of Guelph this week.
Players hit the field on Wednesday morning to kick things off.
Included in the group of rookies is Cambridge local Adam Guillemette, who was taking snaps in front of special teams coaches. The long snapper was drafted 27th overall in the third round by the Argos. He spent his collegiate career with the NCAA’s Holy Cross Crusaders in Massachusetts.
“It’s weird seeing the Argos sticker on the helmet and just being around the guys, but it’s been awesome,” Guillemette said.
He’s not the only one benefitting from being close to home.
“My mom loves it,” Guillemette said.
“She’ll probably be walking around for a few practices. I might see her at the top of the stands, or my dad, too.”
The Argos’ roster is expected to be cut down to 85 players on Saturday.
The first practice with the rest of the veterans will take place on Sunday, with the final roster of 75 to be released two days later.
Veteran quarterbacks, including Chad Kelly, also took to the field during Wednesday’s session.
Despite the Grey Cup win last season, Kelly said his focus is on the months ahead.
“You don’t even want to see any Grey Cup stuff. You don’t want to talk about,” Kelly said.
“That’s kind of the motto that you have to have. It’s a new year. It doesn’t matter what we did last year.”
Guelph Alumni Stadium has become somewhat of a home away from home for the Argos. The team held training camps on campus in 2016, 2021 and 2022. They also visited the facility throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
“We enjoy coming up here. On the drive over you know it’s time for camp, so you get excited for that,” Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said.
“We look forward to coming here to the great facilities, and it’s just good for the guys to get out of town.”
Fans are encouraged to stop by the field to watch the defending Grey Cup champions in Guelph this week.
Some practices will be closed, but the team will release information for open practices at least one day in advance.
The Argos will host Ottawa at Guelph Alumni Stadium in their final pre-season game on June 1.