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Nobody anticipated Josh Hagerty to leap into the fray and be a difference-maker this season within the Argonauts’ defensive secondary.
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Rookies, in any case, want time to study the professional ropes, regulate to the pace of the sport and the chaos that ensues.
Offensively, the schemes CFL groups run are way more refined and nuanced than the play-calling Hagerty skilled when he lined up in college.
All issues thought of, the child has achieved properly.
An encouraging signal emerged final week when the sport started to decelerate for Hagerty, who began at security for the primary time in Toronto’s 17-16 win over the Ticats.
5 days earlier, in the course of the Labour Day Traditional, Hagerty was thrown to the wolves when starter Crezdon Butler suffered a concussion.
The security place is akin to the quarterback on defence. Fast choices should be made earlier than the snap of the soccer and a security must see the complete area to make sure his teammates are lined up correctly.
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“Altering alignments and assignments,’’ stated Hagerty on Wednesday. “You need to know what everyone seems to be doing.”
Hagerty was taken by the Argos within the sixth spherical (forty seventh general) out of the College of Saskatchewan this previous Might. His Huskies teammate, Nelson Lokombo, went second general to the Riders.
The Argos used their first-round choose to pick out Peter Nicastro, who has emerged as an early-season candidate for high rookie, beginning at centre and at guard.
Hagerty is beginning to really feel comfy in his new environment. He’s vocal and never afraid to say what must be stated, traits which are musts for any participant, not to mention for a rookie.
“I believe I’ve earned the respect from teammates the previous couple of months,’’ stated Hagerty, who performs laborious and has developed good habits.
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Given his inexperience, there’s loads of room for progress and enchancment, however he’s discovering his method.
“The primary couple of reps have been nerve-wracking,’’ he admitted. “The sport felt quick. Because the video games went on and as I started to play on particular groups ,the sport slowed down, I gained extra confidence.
“I’ve been extra bodily the final two video games. I’m getting my confidence and my footing.”
Hagerty grew up in Regina, the place the Argos play on Friday night time.
The hometown child will return for the primary time as a professional, even whether it is with the opposing staff.
As quickly because the CFL launched its schedule, Hagerty stated household and associates instantly started to purchase tickets for Toronto’s go to.
“A couple of hundred folks at the very least,’’ stated Hagerty, who has been attempting to extract further tickets from teammates to satisfy the demand “That is enormous for me, a dream come true to be residence. It’s loopy understanding you’ll be going again and taking part in in that stadium.”
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Soccer runs deep within the Hagerty family. His dad, Jeff, received a Vanier Cup with the Huskies in 1990.
“He confirmed me soccer,’’ stated Hagerty. “He allowed me to like the sport as a lot as he did.”
Hagerty, 23, remembers going to Riders recreation as a four-year-old. He started to play sort out soccer at age eight and was within the stands on the unique Mosaic Stadium in 2013 when the Riders beat the Ticats within the Gray Cup.
“We have been on the 50-yard-line, half method up,’’ stated Hagerty, who listed his favorite participant as Riders working again Kory Sheets.
“He was a beast of a working again,’’ added Hagerty. “I favored his model of play.”
He even wore Sheets’ jersey.
There can be a handful of followers carrying Argos jerseys on Friday night time in help of Hagerty. However there can even be followers carrying the colors of the Inexperienced and White privately rooting for the Argonauts defender.
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“They’ll be household coming from out of city,’’ stated Hagerty. “My grandparents, aunts and uncles are coming to the sport. My dad and mom, girlfriend and her household can be cheering for me.”
As well as, a lot of his highschool and college associates can be within the stands.
“They usually cheer for the Riders,’’ he stated, understanding they’ll be rooting for the rookie in his homecoming.
Professional soccer is a enterprise and Hagerty is aware of his go to, regardless of the plain emotional ties, should be considered as a piece journey.
“I’ve a job to do,’’ he stated. “I can’t get too excited. I’ve to deal with it prefer it’s every other recreation. We’re going there to win a recreation and that’s the one purpose”
When the brand new Mosaic Stadium opened in 2018, Hagerty helped usher within the venue when his Huskies defeated Regina.
“I’ve performed there a few instances,’’ he added. “It has an incredible turf. The ambiance is superior. I really feel very comfy taking part in there.”
Most individuals equate Hagerty together with his lengthy blonde hair, which he says he grew out in highschool.
“Earlier than, I had hockey hair,’’ he stated.
When the Argos drafted Hagerty, they thought he’d be going again to high school.
“We felt he was a steal at that choose,’’ stated head coach Ryan Dinwiddie. “We didn’t know he’d be on the roster this shortly. That child has proven us one thing.
“Hags has achieved an incredible job. It’s going to be thrilling being on an enormous stage in entrance of household and associates.
“I’m positive there can be a little bit little bit of nerves and pleasure.”
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
