MONTREAL – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Thursday that the club added four defensive players to the roster, including international linebacker and former USC Trojan Anthony W. Sarao. The team also added international cornerback CJ Moore, as well as national defensive back Kwame Adjei and national linebacker Christopher Johnson. The first three players signed two-year deals with the club, while Johnson put his name at the bottom of a three-year contract.
Sarao (5’11”, 233 lbs.) was most recently a member of the Indianapolis Colts. The Atlantic City, NJ native lands in Montreal following a brilliant collegiate career with the USC Trojans, where he played 54 games, while starting 34 of them. The dynamic 23-year-old athlete cumulated an impressive total of 217 tackles, including 12.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks during his four seasons with the Trojans. He added a forced fumble and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a major. He was the team captain for USC during his final year in 2015.
Moore (6’2″, 200 lbs.) suited up for four years at North Carolina Central University, starting 33 out of the 47 games he played for the Eagles. Moore, 23, racked up a stunning total of 301 tackles, 21 of them for loss as well as five interceptions. His speed and poise allowed him to add three forced fumbles, while blocking three kicks during his time at North Carolina Central. The Raleigh, NC native earned All-MEAC first team honours in 2015. He took part in the Alouettes training camp last summer.
Adjei (6’0″, 205 lbs.) was drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the fifth round (42nd overall) in the CFL Canadian Draft of 2015. The Brampton, ON native, played his collegiate career at Mount Allison, where he recorded 176 tackles as well as 6.5 sacks, while intercepting eight passes during his five seasons with the Mounties. His addition allows the club to add Canadian talent to an already deep defensive back core.
Johnson (5’10”, 220 lbs.) arrives in Montreal after spending time on the Calgary Stampeders practice roster. The 25-year-old linebacker was selected in the fifth round (44th overall) by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2014 CFL Canadian Draft. He suited up for two regular season games with the Ti-Cats. The 25-year-old athlete played his collegiate career with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. Johnson registered 89 defensive tackles and 5.5 quarterback sacks in 31 games with the U of T. He added one forced fumble and returned an interception 88 yards.
