Going from U Sports here in Canada to the National Football League is a difficult jump, but it’s one that Moose Jaw’s Kahlen Branning feels like he handled pretty well.

The former University of Regina Rams defensive back attended a rookie mini-camp with the Detroit Lions earlier this month and while a contract offer didn’t materialize from the try-out, Branning is coming away confident.

“It was great honestly, it was a bit eye-opener to see everyone that’s big, strong and fast,” said Branning. “They really take their football seriously down there and it was a great experience, I learned a lot from it.”

Growing up playing football in Moose Jaw and then moving onto the Rams, this camp was Branning’s first taste of American football on the smaller field with 11 players.

He said that adjustment wasn’t too drastic and he handled it pretty well.

“I think I fit honestly, it was just a matter of learning their system and the American football game is a lot different than the Canadian game, so it was just adjusting to that, which was tough to do in three days, but I’m hoping they bring me back and I can learn,” said Branning.

“If you’re really an athlete, you can fit in anywhere, it’s just a matter of getting use to their systems, their rules, but if you’re an athlete, you can definitely fit in there for sure.”

Branning left Detroit without a contract offer, but he said the overall reaction was positive from the Lions’ brass.

“They really liked me and with my status on that, I’m not sure, but they were talking about bringing me back in August, September, so right now I’m basically just training, sitting tight and waiting until then,” he said.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers own Branning’s CFL rights, but he added that he’d like explore his NFL options before coming back north as the window to play in the NFL could be small.

“I’m just going to wait and see what happens,” said Branning.