January 19, 2017

Alouettes and Darian Durant agree to a three-year deal

MONTREAL – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Thursday that the club has signed quarterback Darian Durant to a three-year deal. His rights were acquired in a trade on January 13.

Durant (5’11”, 214 lbs.), an 11-season CFL veteran, started his career with the Roughriders in 2006 and was the backup quarterback when the team won the Grey Cup in 2007. He was the team’s starting pivot when the Roughriders hoisted the trophy once more in 2013.

“We are extremely happy to have reached an agreement with Darian and we are looking forward to see him lead our offence out on the field,” declared Alouettes General Manager Kavis Reed. “The negotiations came to this rapid conclusion because both parties were anxious to get a deal done and start working together to bring a championship to the city of Montreal.”

In 155 career-games, including 111 as the starting quarterback, the 34-year-old completed 2,186 of his 3,519 passes, amassing 28,136 yards, while throwing 149 touchdown passes. He currently stands 16th all-time in the CFL for career passing yards. He also carried the ball on 369 occasions throughout his career, cumulating 2,888 yards and scoring 21 rushing majors along the way. He has a 5-1 record as a starting quarterback in playoff games.

Last season, the Florence, SC native amassed 3,468 yards as he completed 290 of his 431 passes, while throwing 14 touchdown passes. He also scored five rushing touchdowns, as he carried the ball 51 times for gains of 274 yards.

The former University of North Carolina Tar Heel also led the Riders to the Grey Cup game in 2009 and 2010. Both times, the team was defeated by the Alouettes. He was also named a West Division All-Star in 2009 and 2013.