Johnny Forzani has taken another step toward a professional football career. The 22-year-old Calgarian, who left Washington State University this year, has been told by the Canadian Football League he will be available in the league's annual supplemental draft, slated for the week following the May 2 Canadian college draft. Forzani, a receiver, isn't eligible for the main draft because he only played a year of NCAA football, but players have the option of applying to the league to enter the supplemental draft, and Forzani's application was approved this month. "I'm really happy about it; I'm just excited to see where I'll end up," said Forzani, who spent time practising with the Stampeders in 2008 before earning a scholarship to WASU, where he made nine catches in 10-games, including a record-breaking 99-yard touchdown reception. "I'd love to be in Calgary, obviously, but we'll just have to see how it works out. So now I'm training to get ready for the season," Forzani said. The Dr. E.P. Scarlett grad, who didn't play high school football, would almost surely have been a first-round pick in the main draft, and will certainly attract interest in the supplemental draft, a system under which teams can pick a player by surrendering a draft pick in the following year's talent-grab. It's worth noting the Toronto Argos, coached by longtime Stampeder staffer Jim Barker, would have the first crack at Forzani next month, and Barker saw Forzani develop into an elite receiving prospect during Calgary's practices, and during a single season with the junior Calgary Colts. Forzani has deep ties to the Stampeder organization. His dad, Tom, was a receiving star in Calgary, and uncle John played for the Stamps and is part of the Stampeders ownership group. But the Stamps would need five teams to pass on Forzani to have a chance to pick him, an unlikely scenario. Until then, Forzani expects to stay in the Los Angeles area with his aunt while working with Travelle Gaines, a trainer who works with NFL and NBA players. "Just really hard workouts," said Forzani. "I was working out with (Indianapolis Colts safety) Bob Sanders last week, and we were doing some one-on-ones, so that was good. And I'm also working with one of the Steeler coaches here. I'm doing a lot of stuff here every day. A lot of different drills that are definitely going to help me -- all the stuff they do with the NFL guys, I'm doing the exact same thing and I feel like I'm getting better every day."
