March 27, 2017

Alouettes acquire all-star offensive tackle Jovan Olafioye

MONTREAL – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Monday that the club has acquired all-star international offensive tackle Jovan Olafioye, as well as the rights to a negocation list player from the British Columbia Lions in return for the rights to national offensive tackle David Foucault, as well as international offensive tackle Vincent Brown.

Olafioye (6’6″, 325 lbs.) possesses an impressive résumé in the CFL, although he is only 29-years-old, as he was named a CFL All-Star the past six seasons. The seven-year veteran was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 2012, after helping the Lions win the Grey Cup in 2011, while he was protecting quarterback Travis Lulay, who was elected the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player that same season.

A high performer

“It’s not everyday that you have the opportunity to acquire a player of Jovan’s caliber, one who has performed at such a high level day in and day out, without ever missing a start,” declared Alouettes General Manager Kavis Reed. “With this transaction we are addressing a pressing need that we had on the offensive line. Unfortunately, we had to trade away a player that we were looking forward to see in an Alouettes uniform to do so. We are very excited to welcome Jovan in the nest and are anxious to see him out on the field to protect a veteran quarterback such as Darian Durant, all while creating holes for running back Tyrell Sutton.”

The Detroit, MI native played his first CFL-game on July 4, 2010 and has not missed a single game since then, making 126 consecutive career-starts. During that time, he helped the Lions offensive line finish atop the CFL for least sacks allowed in 2011 and 2012. He was also selected the West Division’s Most Outstanding Lineman on three separate occasions (2011, 2012 and 2015).

Last season, he was moved to the left tackle position and helped protect quarterback Jonathon Jennings, who threw for more than 5,000 yards, all while allowing the Lions offence to amass over 2,000 rushing-yards.

Foucault was the team’s first round (fifth overall) draft pick in the 2014 CFL Canadian Draft. The 28-year-old then spent the following two seasons with the Carolina Panthers in the NFL, playing five games with the team in 2014, including one start. Brown was a member of the Alouettes’ practice squad in 2015.