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Jahquan Bloomfield is quick with an answer when asked about his fondest memory of Ottawa.
“Probably going to Tim Hortons in the morning,” he said, grinning.
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Pretty good that he has that recollection, considering he moved from Nepean to Chateauguay, Que. at the age of “three or four.”
Bloomfield is back in his home town now after being the Redblacks’ fourth-round pick (35th overall) in the 2024 CFL draft.
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“I didn’t really have much in the way of expectations, I was really just thankful to be in the draft and declared for the draft,” said the 6-foot, 188-pound wide receiver out of Prairie View A&M. “After a good conversation and doing well at the combine, I was hoping (to be taken by) Ottawa but I was just thankful for the opportunity.”
He’ll have plenty of reps at camp with Nick Mardner absent while preparing for New York Giants minicamp.
Mardner, who was selected second overall in the draft, was the only other wide receiver selected by Ottawa.
“Super excited to see Jahquan come in and compete,” said coach Bob Dyce. “Obviously, that’s an area where we’re looking to bolster ourselves. With Mardner not being here, he’s going to get more reps and a greater opportunity to compete, and possibly win a spot on the roster. He shows great size … I’m just going to go in and take a look at his route running now when I watch film, but throughout his college career he showed considerable advancements, so we’re excited to see him come in here and compete with guys like Keaton (Bruggeling) and Daniel (Oladejo).”
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Bloomfield is well aware of who he is competing against.
“I’m wishing (Mardner) the best of luck (with the Giants) but definitely, I knew that either way they have a solid receiver room,” he said. “I’ve Iooked at the depth chart, I’ve been familiar with them and tracking them keeping for sure, so I knew I had to earn my stripes and earn my respect. But also on special teams, I wanted to have an effect also as well.”
Bloomfield has what he calls a “little chip on my shoulder” as he applies for the job.
“This is home for me and my family is definitely going to be at the games and helping pack the stands” he said. “As long as I’m able to compete, help the team and also just put a smile on my dad’s face letting them know that I made it, I think it’ll be good either way.”
Having him on the roster will definitely help ticket sales.
“They’re all looking online,” he said of his kin. “Hopefully we get a family discount.”
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