Montreal, May 8, 2011 – The Montreal Alouettes selected kicker Brody McKnight with their first round draft pick, eighth overall, at today’s 2011 CFL Canadian Draft, while also beefing up their O-Line, selecting three offensive linemen in the three rounds that followed, including Anthony Barrette of the Concordia Stingers.
“Prior to the draft, we had prepared a list ranking 52 players in the order that we would have liked to select them. Following the draft, all seven of our picks ended up coming from our top 22 prospects. I’m extremely pleased with our picks and feel as though we’ve strengthened ourselves for the future,” said the Alouettes’ Vice President and General Manager, Jim Popp.
McKnight (6’1″, 190 lbs) is a product of the University of Montana. In 2010, he made 14 of his 18 field goal attempts, including his longest from 53 yards out. McKnight also handled kick-off and punting duties for the Grizzlies, averaging 63.9 and 38.5 yards respectively.
“Not only does he have an extremely strong leg, but his coaches have told me that he can also play another position, which is saying a lot since he plays on such a good team. He still has one year left in school, but we couldn’t pass on him,” stated Popp.
Barrette (6’5″, 320 lbs) evolved under former Alouettes Gerry McGrath and Bryan Chiu while playing university ball with the Concordia Stingers. He represents the second Stingers offensive lineman to be drafted by the Alouettes in as many years, following Kristian Matte in 2010.
Barrette, picked in the second round, was the first of three offensive linemen selected by the Alouettes at today’s draft. Philip Blake (6’3″, 275 lbs) of Baylor went next, having been chosen in the third.
The Alouettes had two picks in the fourth round, using their first on defensive lineman Renaldo Sagesse (6’4″, 279 lbs) of the Michigan Wolverines. Sagesse played four seasons with the Wolverines, recording 16 defensive tackles, including 3 for losses, during that span. The two-time defending Grey Cup champs then capped-off their picks on the O-Line with their second pick in the fourth, selecting offensive lineman Reed Alexander (6’3″, 292 lbs) of the Calgary Dinos.
With his sixth pick of the day, Popp opted for Vaughn Martin (6’4″, 294 lbs), a defensive lineman who has spent the last two seasons with the NFL’s San Diego Chargers.
The Alouettes ended their day picking Carson-Newman University linebacker and defensive back Blaine Ruttan (6′, 195 lbs), one of the best special teams players available in today’s draft, according to Popp.
Whyte joins
In a trade which occurred just before today’s draft started, the Alouettes acquired kicker Sean Whyte from the BC Lions in return for Montreal’s 2012 first-round pick.
Last season, Whyte (5’09”, 175 lbs), a non-import, was perfect with the Lions connecting on all six of his field goal attempts, including one from 50 yards out. He is also capable of handling kick-off and punting duties.
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