May 8, 2017

Alouettes stock up in 2017 CFL Canadian Draft

Montreal – The Montreal Alouettes selected defensive lineman Fabion Foote from the McMaster University Marauders, with their first pick (twelfth overall) in the second round of the CFL Canadian Draft.

Foote (6’02”, 285 lbs) lands in Montreal after a remarkable four-year collegiate career suiting up for 25 regular season games for the Marauders and recording 43 defensive tackles, 6.5 quarterback sacks and an impressive 13 tackles for losses.

The North York, ON native was key contributor in the 2014 McMaster playoff run, as the team respectively won the Yates Cup and the Mitchell Bowl, before losing to the University of Montréal Carabins in the Vanier Cup Championship game. Foote was invited along with the CIS standout players to attend the 2016 East-West Bowl game.

The Alouettes then selected defensive back Dondre Wright in the third round (20th overall). Wright (5’11”, 210 lbs.) played for the Henderson State University Reddies the last two seasons, amassing 113 tackles in 24 games. He also knocked down eight passes, while recovering two fumbles. The Ajax, ON native played two seasons at the New Mexico Military Institute prior to joining the Reddies.

In the fourth round (29th overall), General Manager Kavis Reed selected receiver Alexander Morrison (6’4″, 220 lbs.) from the UBC Thunderbirds, where he played four seasons, lifting the Vanier Cup in 2015. In 26 games, the Sault St. Marie, ON native caught 50 passes for 817 yards. The versatile and explosive player also shined on special teams, finishing first in the country with 679 kickoff return yards on 30 returns. He was named a Conference West All-Star.

The Alouettes then picked offensive lineman Zach Annen (6’3″, 295 lbs.) from Carleton Ravens in the fifth round (39th overall). Annen played his first two seasons on the Ravens defensive line before moving to the other side of the trenches, as he was a starter at the centre position the following two seasons. He played 29 regular season games for the Ravens.

In the sixth round, the Alouettes had two picks. With the first one (45th overall), the club picked a second Raven when it selected receiver Malcolm Carter (6’6″, 215 lbs.). He played three seasons with Carleton before joining the Ottawa Sooners of the Ontario Junior Football League, where he caught 29 passes for 537 yards and nine touchdowns in only seven games.

With the second pick of the round (48th overall), Montreal acquired the rights to receiver Denzel Radford (6’3″, 200 lbs.). Last year, the University of Calgary Dino led the conference on kickoff and punt returns. He also played on defence.

In the seventh round (56th overall), the Alouettes opted for defensive back Ty Cranston from the Ottawa University Gee-Gees. The big-bodied defensive back totalled 129 defensive tackles in the 30 outings in four seasons. Cranston added two interceptions, in addition to forcing one fumble and recovering one.

With its final pick of the night, the Alouettes selected Montreal native and Sherbrooke University productOumar Touré (6’04” 250 lbs.) in the eighth round (65th overall). The latter caught 31 passes good for 491 receiving yards in 24 outings. The 23-year-old was invited to the 2016 East-West Bowl, following his best career-season.