Stamps receiver Javin Whatley hopes having speed to burn gives him a leg up

Vernon Adams Jr. won't be playing, but several rookies will have a moment in the spotlight as the pre-season wraps on Friday.

Javin Whatley got the nickname “Nunu” when he was an infant.

And he says that nickname has stuck ever since.

“When I was a baby, my older brother, who was like two at the time, called me Nunu. My name was Snoop-Snoop, but he said Nunu.”

Tough competition

Whatley is trying to earn a spot on the Calgary Stampeders’ receiving corps, but he’s facing some stiff competition.

It’s crowded at receiver.

Whatley says he has to use his strengths in order to make the team.

“I would say my speed—just showcase my speed and do what I do. Make plays and just come to work every day,” he said.

Speed to burn

The 23-year-old doesn’t lack confidence.

When he was asked who the fastest Stampeder is, he didn’t hesitate.

“I’m definitely the fastest,” he said.

“I got my speed from Tevin Jones, ‘Stamps veteran receiver,’ he joked.

“But I’d say I’m the fastest.”

Has had a good camp

Stamps head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson says Whatley is still young and still has things to learn, but he’s been impressed with the youngster so far.

“I know he has some skill and the ball has to come his way, but he has to stay positive and take advantage of it,” he said.

“I think he has skill and talent, but sometimes the receiver is the hardest one because you’re doing your job and you’re looking fast and you’re getting open, but sometimes the ball doesn’t find you all of the time. So I think just stay positive and keep doing your job, but I like what I’m seeing.

“There’s a lot of good players out there, so we’ll see what happens.”

Used to play QB

Whatley is from Rockmart, a small town in Georgia, and has played football for as long as he remembers.

In high school, he was an all-regional quarterback.

He threw for 1,533 yards, rushed for 1,150 yards and had a total of 36 touchdowns.

He says playing quarterback has helped him as a receiver.

“Being a quarterback in high school taught me to read the defence better,” he said.

“When I’m getting the plays and looking at the defence, I just read the defence before I get a pre-snap read.”

Whatley will have his final audition with the Stamps on Friday night when they wrap up the pre-season in Edmonton.

Final cuts will come on Saturday.