January 10, 2017

Alouettes add three to the roster

MONTREAL – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Tuesday that the club has signed three international players to two-year deals, as defensive back Desmond Cooper, running back LaVance Taylor and defensive lineman Reuben Frank are the latest members of the team.

Cooper (6’02”, 215 lbs.) arrives with the Alouettes after a memorable two-year stint suiting up for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 49ers. In 22 regular season games, Cooper amassed an impressive 89 defensive tackles, three interceptions, while adding nine knockdowns and three forced fumbles playing mostly at the safety position. The 24-year-old athlete started his collegiate career with the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons before transferring at UNCC. During his first season at Wake Forest, he registered three special teams tackles and a defensive tackle. The Jacksonville, FL native made a stint with his hometown Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015, prior to joining the Alouettes.

Taylor (5’10”, 194 lbs.) completed his collegiate career as a member of the Central Missouri University Mules in 2014, where he racked up impressive statistics. The dynamic 24-year-old running back cumulated 3,941 rushing yards and 6,231 combined yards while scoring 44 touchdowns. During his senior season in 2014, he scored 15 majors while rushing for 1,918 yards on 245 carries. He spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Ottawa REDBLACKS, BC Lions and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Frank (6’04”, 246 lbs.) started his collegiate career as a fullback for the University of Connecticut Huskies, before taking snaps as a defensive lineman at the start of the 2013 season. During the following two seasons, opposing offences had their hands full trying to contain him, as he cumulated 50 defensive tackles and three sacks in 24 games. The 24-year-old played with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2016, registering six defensive tackles and a quarterback sack in seven games.