Wide receiver Odoms-Dukes is working to crack the Stampeders’ starting lineup

The 2024 CFL season is starting a little later than anticipated for DeVontres (Tre) Odoms-Dukes.

The Calgary Stampeders opened the season with a 32-24 home win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday night. However, Odoms-Dukes, 26, was only able to watch after being placed on the injured list.

The third-year wide receiver’s formula for getting back on the field Saturday night at BC Place Stadium versus the BC Lions remains simple: work harder.

“There’s a lot of things you can control and a lot of things you can’t,” Odoms-Dukes said. “That (Friday night) was out of my control, but what I can control is my attitude, my work ethic, my character and the way I treat and talk to people.

“I know a lot of people would be angry and upset, but I honestly don’t think it’s good at all. All I can do is control what I can control.”

The 6-foot-3, 223-pound wide receiver had a career-best 60 catches for 686 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games last season. Odoms-Dukes added a 47-yard reception in Calgary’s 41-30 Western Division semifinal loss to BC

In 2022, Odoms-Dukes had 11 catches for 112 yards and a TD in four starts. He signed with Calgary after spending time with the NFL’s Denver Broncos following his collegiate career at South Florida.

“I felt like last year I did an OK job, but I don’t think I played up to my ability or potential,” Odoms-Dukes said. “But they kept me and they still have me here, so I think that means I haven’t played terribly.

“The biggest thing I learned last year was availability is the best skill.”

After Calgary’s playoff exit, Odoms-Dukes said a top priority is improving his mental approach to football. That work has helped him put early-season adversity into proper perspective, though the Pensacola, Fla., native isn’t using that as extra motivation this week.

“I don’t really like (using) external factors to motivate me because I feel that motivation should come from within,” he said. “You have to want to do it yourself and not just because of the circumstances you’re in.

“I’ve always pushed myself because it’s a battle, it’s me against myself. Football is a very physical game and everyone thinks it’s about who can run the fastest or jump the highest, but it’s really a I play mentally all 18 weeks and if you’re not mentally locked in, it can be overwhelming.”

Calgary (6-12) finished third in the West to reach the playoffs for the 18th straight season. However, the losing streak was the franchise’s first since ’07.

“Of course, everybody has standards, and you either meet them or you don’t,” Odoms-Dukes said. “But once you get to the play-offs, everyone is 0-0 and it’s time to go.

“We made the playoffs last year, that was just a little taste. Now it’s time to win it all, honestly. That’s what we’ve been talking about since the end of last year.”

Odoms-Dukes is represented by Kenny Kim of Summit Athletes. The Florida agent said their relationship is unique.

“We’re from the same hometown, so being able to represent a local athlete and share his successes on and off the court is very special to me,” Kim said. “Tre is a very humble, hard-working, big-bodied player who I think has the potential to be one of the best receivers in the league.”

After signing with Calgary, Odoms-Dukes initially spent time acclimating to Canadian football. But it didn’t take long for him to realize that the game was ideal for the offense.

“I love it all,” he said. “It’s tough to defend a 6-foot-3, 225-pound receiver running at you (with a 10-yard dash) and then you have someone like Jake (Calgary starter Jake Maier) who can throw 60 to 70 of meters. down on the field.

“At first the move kind of threw me off, so I practiced it and adapted quickly. It’s pretty much the same game, just with a few advantages.”

When Odoms-Dukes has a CFL question, he leans on fellow wide receiver Reggie Begelton. The two-time all-star is in his seventh season with Calgary and is also represented by Kim.

“I’m a pretty easy-going person, so Reggie and I hit it off as soon as we got here,” Odoms-Dukes said. “I would say he took me under his wing because he definitely helps me out when it comes to trails and stuff like that.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 11, 2024.

Dan Ralph, Canadian Press