February 15, 2016

Alouettes strengthen the defensive line

Montreal – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Monday that the club has signed international defensive lineman DeQuin Evans to a one-year deal. The team also came to terms with two other international defensive lineman, as Markell Carter and Ike Igbinosun agreed two-year deals.

Evans (6’3″, 253 lbs.) played the last two seasons with the Calgary Stampders, helping the team win the Grey Cup in 2014. In nine career-games in the CFL, he made 19 defensive tackles and three sacks. The former University of Kentucky Wildcat had his best career-outing on September 21, 2014 against the Alouettes, when he made five defensive tackles. Prior to his time in Calgary, the 28-year-old spent parts of three seasons on the Cincinnati Bengals practice roster.

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“It’s great to add a former Wildcat to the mix. I’m sure he will get pushed hard by his fellow alumnus Coach Anwar Stewart. DeQuin will bring some experience and has shown he can be successful in the CFL,” declared Alouettes General Manager and Head Coach Jim Popp.

Carter (6’4″, 250 lbs.) returns to the Alouettes after starting the 2015 season on the team’s injured list and practice roster. Before coming to Montreal, the 26-year-old defensive end was a member of the New England Patriots practice roster in 2011, the team that drafted him in the sixth round (194th total) that same year.

“We wanted to give Markell another chance. He had an outstanding camp last year and was vying for a starting job. After suffering an injury, he never recovered to his form,” said Popp.

The former Central Arkansas University Bear also spent some time with the Calgary Stampeders, the Orlando Predators and Pittsburgh Power of the Arena Football League as well as the Colorado Ice of the Indoor Football League. At the college level, the Bartlesville, OK native amassed 143 tackles. During his senior year in 2010, he made 62 tackles, 5.5 sacks while forcing three fumbles and recovering four of them.

Igbinosun (6’3″, 286 lbs.) arrives in Montreal following stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and most recently, the Jacksonville Jaguars. During his college career with the University of Southern Connecticut Owls, the 25-year-old defensive tackle collected 134 defensive tackles, including 10.5 sacks. During his senior season, he earned first-team All-Northeast Conference honours.