With the 2021 football season fast approaching, we decided to give you a position-by-position breakdown of our Alouettes’ roster so that you can be completely up to date regarding our troops.
You know as well as we do, our line-up this year is quite special thanks to our selection of local athletes. But like every year, the Alouettes roster will be made up of a mix of Quebecers, Canadians, Americans, and this year even some Japanese, Australian, French and Swedish players.
So, to help you get back into football mode, this week we’re going to look at one of the most important members of the defensive squad: the linebackers.
THE VETERANS:
At the heart of all defensive plays, are the linebackers. A hybrid role in charge of covering receivers, tackling behind the line of scrimmage, or provoking fumbles, the linebackers are also called upon to produce blitzes by taking advantage of gaps in the opposing offensive line. So, you can imagine that we need versatile players with the body of a soldier.
In life, you win some and you lose some. It was saddening to have to say goodbye to several exemplary players last year, but this time around our General Manager Danny Maciocia made sure to build a strong group for this position.
Chris Ackie (6’2” – 223 lbs) is a CFL veteran. The idyllic product of Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks has continuously impressed us since joining the Alouettes in 2015. Versatile, he equally excels at the linebacker position and on special teams. A must-have defensive weapon for the Alouettes, Ackie is already a leader in this position.
Patrick Levels (5’11’’ – 187 lbs) will be undertaking his second season in Montreal after finishing his first one in 2019 with 86 defensive tackles, five quarterback sacks and two fumbles. At only 26 year old this player, who can also play defensive back, has already won a Grey Cup with the Stampeders in 2018 and is a reference at his position in the CFL.
Monshadrik Hunter (6’1’’ – 193 lbs) arrives in Montreal after two seasons in the CFL with Edmonton during which he made 61 defensive tackles, four interceptions and a quarterback sack! Also capable of playing defensive back, we can’t wait to see what he will look like in a Montreal uniform.
DJ Lalama (6’0’’- 222 lbs) spent four years at the University of Manitoba where he finished second all-time in the school history with 184 defensive tackles. In 2017, after his arrival with the Alouettes, DJ took the time to learn alongside the veterans before getting his own chance in the second half of the 2019 season. The Manitoban seized it perfectly and will be applying for a starting position when the new season comes around.
LOCAL TALENT:
Look, we’re a team that stands behind their word. So, when our General Manager, Dany Maciocia said that with equal talent, he would prioritize local athletes… you better believe that’s what he did. These recruits will have their work cut out for them this season if they are serious about getting a position on the field. With that in mind, there is no doubt that there will be a lot of hustle and bustle at training camp.
Frederic Chagnon (6’4” – 233 lbs) is back home. A former player for the Université de Montréal Carabins, Chagnon spent his first few years in the CFL playing in the Western Division where he collected a flurry of special teams tackles. Now determined to represent the Alouettes, we look forward to having such a reliable talent in 2021.
Alexandre Chevrier (6’0”- 217 lbs) made his CFL debut the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Quebecer is now returning home to defend the colours of the Montreal Alouettes. He has worked primarily on special teams but will be able to provide depth to this position.
Alexandre Gagné (6’1” – 230 pounds) proved to be a real nightmare for punt return specialists as the former Université de Sherbrooke Vert et Or player collected 19 tackles special teams tackles in 2019 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He is very proud to come back to the Belle Province, and we can’t wait to watch him show off at training camp!
Jersey Henry (5’11” – 205 lbs) is a true leader on the field and behind the scene. A native of LaSalle, Henry is an intense and physical player who used to suit up for the Concordia University Stingers where he closed the 2019 season as the second-leading tackler. Watch out for this player during training camp because he is hot to trot his professional material!
Ethan Makonzo (6’1 – 220 lbs) played eight games for the Université de Montréal Carabins in 2019. Previously felled by harsh injuries, Ethan has always shown perseverance and now finds himself with the opportunity to make his dream come true. Another great potential to follow closely!
Brian Harelimana (6’2” – 228 pounds) the young Laval native ranked second on the Université de Montréal Carabins with 37 tackles in 2019. He has impressive physical qualities and we are all very eager to see how he will perform at the professional level because the potential is very real!
THE START-UPS:
Many promising athletes will be there for training camp this year. Let’s take a look at those who will try to make the team during camp:
Yamagishi Akio (6’0’’– 215 lbs)
Eli Mencer (6’1’’– 229 lbs)
Tre Watson (6’2’’ – 230 lbs)
Romeo Finley (6’1” – 215 lbs)
Jermaine Grace (6’1” – 223 lbs)
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