MONTRÉAL – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Wednesday that the club has added four players to the practice roster, including veteran international receiver Tiquan Underwood. The team also added national receiver Alex Pierzchalski as well as international defensive lineman Ray Drew and international offensive lineman Mathu Gibson.
Underwood (6’ 01’’, 185 lbs.) was most recently a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, where he played 20 games, catching 56 passes for 865 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The New Brunswick, NJ native was selected in the seventh round, 253th overall, by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2009 NFL Draft, following his college career at Rugters University. Underwood suited up for the New England Patriots as well as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers from 2011 to 2014. The poised and dynamic speedster racked up 1,006 receiving yards and ten touchdowns in the NFL.
Pierzchalski (6’04’’, 220 lbs.) arrives in Montreal after spending the last two seasons with the Ottawa REDBLACKS. The Ottawa, ON native was drafted in the second round, 18th overall, by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2014 CFL Canadian Draft. In 32 games with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, Pierzchalski amassed 1,617 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns on 149 catches. He played 29 games throughout his professional career.
Drew (6’05’’, 276 lbs.) had a collegiate career to remember as he wore the Georgia Bulldogs colours from 2011 to 2014. The international defensive lineman gave headaches to opposing defensive squads, registering an impressive 113 tackles, 13 of which were for losses and 7.5 quarterback sacks. The 24-year-old athlete signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2015. He also spent time with the Cleveland Browns, the Green Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers.
Gibson (6’06’’, 295 lbs.) was a two-year captain and four-year starter, suiting up for the Wingate University Bulldogs from 2012 to 2015 after being redshirted during his first season in 2011. A native of Winston Salem, NC, Gibson signed a contract with the Denver Broncos before training camp. The 23-year-old also had an invitation to tryout with the New York Jets earlier this year.
