MONTRÉAL – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Thursday that the club has signed two former Université de Montréal Carabins, as fullback Jean-Samuel Blanc and defensive back Maïko Zepeda have both signed two-year deals.
Blanc (6’1″, 245 lbs.) has proved his versatility since joining the Alouettes in 2015, as he played at the fullback and defensive end positions. In 11 games last season, the 26-year-old recorded five special teams tackles and one defensive tackle, while forcing a fumble. In his first two professional seasons, which followed the Carabins Vanier Cup championship in 2014, Blanc registered 14 special teams tackles.
Zepeda (5’8″, 200 lbs.) will have another opportunity to showcase his abilities to the Alouettes’ top brass, after suffering a season-ending foot injury during the team’s 2016 rookie camp. The 24-year-old defensive back was selected in the seventh round (56th overall) by the Alouettes in the 2016 CFL Canadian draft. Zepeda had a senior year to remember with the Université de Montréal Carabins, intercepting four passes in 2015, while making 34.5 tackles and defending six passes. In 2014, he was a key contributor to the Carabins’ Vanier Cup victory at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium over the McMaster Marauders.
