Als GM goes against grain, surprises many with his picks at college draft

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Sports activities Montreal Alouettes Soccer CFL

Chooses Jonathan Sutherland from Penn State, Lwal Uguak from Texas Christian College and Université Laval fullback David Dallaire.

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Alouettes normal supervisor Danny Maciocia was filled with surprises Tuesday evening because the CFL performed its annual Canadian school draft.

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With two first-round picks, Maciocia went towards the grain, stunning many who had predicted whom he would possibly choose.

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With the fifth general alternative, the Als chosen Jonathan Sutherland from Penn State. The 5-foot-11, 214-pound Ottawa native can play linebacker or defensive again, however he just lately signed with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent. He’s 24 years outdated.

Montreal wasted little time earlier than taking Lwal Uguak, a 6-foot-5, 271-pound defensive lineman from Texas Christian College, seventh general. Uguak, a 23-year-old Edmonton native, will likely be attending rookie mini-camp with the New York Giants.

The Als acquired the extra first-round draft alternative from B.C. with final season’s commerce of former beginning quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. to the Lions. Adams turned redundant in Montreal’s plans when he was benched in favour of Trevor Harris within the second recreation of the season earlier than sustaining an damage. Harris signed with Saskatchewan as a free agent final February, whereas the Als signed Cody Fajardo from the Roughriders as a free agent to exchange him.

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“Our Canadian content material on defence simply bought higher with gamers that may affect the ratio and manufacturing,” Maciocia advised the Montreal Gazette Tuesday evening throughout a quick respite from the draft desk.

Whereas Maciocia didn’t should elaborate, he undoubtedly was in touch this week with each the Seahawks’ and Giants’ organizations earlier than making two probably dangerous first-round picks, and he should really feel assured neither participant is in these groups’ long-term plans.

There was hypothesis heading into the draft the Als would possibly use their first-rounders on Francis Bemiy, a defensive-lineman who performed at Southern Utah and is a Montreal native. There additionally was some thought they may choose Michael Brodrique, a linebacker who performed at Université de Montréal. Maciocia was employed by the Als in 2020 after practically a decade because the Carabins’ head coach.

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Brodrique, nevertheless, went second general Tuesday evening to Edmonton. With the primary general choice, Ottawa took Dontae Bull, an offensive-lineman from Fresno State. Bemiy, in the meantime, went ninth general to the Lions, finishing the opening spherical.

Sutherland is one among solely two four-time workforce captains in Penn State historical past; the opposite, quarterback Sean Clifford, was drafted within the fifth spherical by the Inexperienced Bay Packers.

Sutherland performed security for the Nittany Lions earlier than being moved to linebacker final season. In 13 video games, he had 38 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one quarterback sack. Over his 58-game profession, he produced 137 tackles, 1.5 sacks, an interception and compelled one fumble. He additionally takes enjoying particular groups critically, having blocked two kicks. He’s thought-about fast, being timed at 4.58 seconds over 40 yards at his professional day.

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“I’m so completely satisfied for Jonathan incomes this opportunity to compete on the skilled degree,” Penn State defensive co-ordinator Manny Diaz stated after Sutherland signed with Seattle. “The Seahawks are getting a man who is flexible and may also help a defence in some ways. His management was super, each for our defence and particular groups unit.”

Sutherland was a former extensive receiver throughout his minor soccer days in Ottawa. He’s thought-about a flexible athlete — one thing that ought to serve him nicely within the CFL. And, assuming he finally makes it to Montreal, he’s anticipated to endear himself with the teaching employees due to his affinity for particular groups. That usually is the ticket for rookies to get onto the sector.

Nonetheless, it was thought-about a daring decide on Maciocia’s half.

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Uguak performed on the College of Connecticut from 2018-21, recording 69 tackles, 4 sacks, one compelled fumble and one fumble restoration over 34 video games. He transferred to TCU final season for extra publicity. The transfer served him nicely because the Horned Frogs reached the NCAA nationwide championship recreation, shedding to Georgia. In 14 video games, he had 9 tackles and a fumble restoration.

The Als additionally chosen Université Laval fullback David Dallaire within the second spherical (thirteenth general). Earlier Tuesday, the Als selected Swedish defensive-lineman Simon Sandberg and Australian punter Rhys Byrns within the league’s world draft.

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