CFL Draft: Alouettes Prioritize Protection, Quebec Players Highlighted
Table of Contents
- CFL Draft: Alouettes Prioritize Protection, Quebec Players Highlighted
- CFL Draft: Alouettes Prioritize Protection, Quebec Players Shine
- What were teh Montreal Alouettes’ main priorities in the CFL Draft?
- Who did the Alouettes select to strengthen their offensive line?
- Why was strengthening the offensive line a priority for the Alouettes?
- What team held the first overall pick in the CFL Draft?
- Who did the Calgary Stampeders draft?
- What makes Damien Alford’s selection notable?
- Which other Quebec players were drafted?
- Summarize the key draft picks in a table.
Montreal – The Canadian Football League (CFL) draft showcased meaningful talent this year, with Montreal Alouettes General Manager Danny maciocia noting it as the deepest pool of prospects since his return to the league. The Alouettes, holding the fifth overall pick, focused on bolstering their offensive line.
Posted at 6:22 p.m. ET, Updated at 10:57 p.m.ET
The Alouettes are heading into the 2025 season with Davis Alexander, 26, as their new starting quarterback, having signed him to a three-year contract during the off-season.
On Tuesday, the Alouettes selected Tiger Shanks, a 6-foot, 325-pound offensive lineman, to protect their key player.
PHOTO: DOMINICK GRAVEL,ARCHIVES
Alouettes General manager Danny Maciocia
The selection of Shanks addresses the Alouettes’ need to reinforce their offensive line following the departures of veterans Philippe Gagnon and Kristian Matte.
Shanks, 23, played 51 games over five seasons with the UNLV Rebels.
Other Notable Draft Picks
The Calgary Stampeders, holding the first overall pick, chose Montreal receiver Damien Alford, previously with Syracuse and Utah. The 6-foot-6,211-pound Alford is the first Quebecer drafted in the top spot since Pierre Lavertu in 2014. Alford also received an invitation to the Kansas City chiefs’ mini-camp.
PHOTO: ADRIAN KRAUS, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Damien Alford
Jeremiah Ojo, a defensive lineman from the University of Montreal, was selected by the Toronto Argonauts in the seventh round. Ojo, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 246 pounds, was ranked 16th on the CFL prospect list.
The Stampeders also drafted Christopher Fortin, an offensive lineman from the University of Connecticut, with their subsequent pick. Fortin, weighing 303 pounds, hails from Saint-René, Quebec.
CFL Draft: Alouettes Prioritize Protection, Quebec Players Shine
What were teh Montreal Alouettes’ main priorities in the CFL Draft?
The Montreal Alouettes focused on bolstering their offensive line. General Manager Danny Maciocia emphasized the draftS depth, calling it the deepest pool of prospects as his return to the league. Their primary objective was to protect their new starting quarterback, Davis Alexander, for the 2025 season.
Who did the Alouettes select to strengthen their offensive line?
The Alouettes selected Tiger Shanks, a 6-foot, 325-pound offensive lineman.
Why was strengthening the offensive line a priority for the Alouettes?
The Alouettes needed to reinforce their offensive line following the departures of veteran players Philippe Gagnon and Kristian Matte.
What team held the first overall pick in the CFL Draft?
The Calgary Stampeders held the first overall pick.
Who did the Calgary Stampeders draft?
The Calgary Stampeders chose Montreal receiver Damien Alford with the first overall pick.
What makes Damien Alford’s selection notable?
Damien Alford, a 6-foot-6, 211-pound receiver, is the first Quebecer drafted in the top spot since Pierre Lavertu in 2014. He also received an invitation to the Kansas City Chiefs’ mini-camp.
Which other Quebec players were drafted?
Besides Damien Alford, several other Quebec players were selected in the draft:
Jeremiah Ojo: A defensive lineman from the University of Montreal, drafted by the Toronto argonauts in the seventh round.
Christopher Fortin: An offensive lineman from the University of Connecticut, drafted by the Calgary Stampeders.
Summarize the key draft picks in a table.
Here’s a quick overview of the key selections in the CFL draft:
| Draft Pick | player | Position | team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Overall | Damien Alford | Receiver | Calgary Stampeders | From Montreal, invited to Kansas City Chiefs’ mini-camp |
| (Alouettes Pick) | Tiger Shanks | Offensive Lineman | Montreal Alouettes | To protect Davis Alexander |
| Seventh Round | Jeremiah Ojo | Defensive Lineman | Toronto Argonauts | From the University of montreal |
| (Stampeders pick) | Christopher Fortin | Offensive Lineman | Calgary Stampeders | From Saint-René, Quebec |
