MontrealAlouettes.com
MONTREAL – The Alouettes announced on Friday the signings of import quarterback Collin Klein, linebacker Gary Guyton and defensive back Chris Smith to two-year deals with the club.
“We have added three potential impact players today. Collin brings tremendous athletic ability and leadership to his position,” said Alouettes General Manager Jim Popp.
“Gary is a player who we have coveted for a few years, he brings versatility and the ability to play multiple positions at linebacker and at rush end. Chris will walk into the CFL with the ability to be one of the better bump and run corners.”
Klein (6’5”, 226 lbs.) played four years with the Kansas State University Wildcats, including the last two as the team’s starting pivot. Since 2009, the versatile quarterback has amassed 4,573 passing yards and 2,455 rushing yards over the course of his collegiate career with the Wildcats.
During the 2011 season, the now 24-year-old tied a Big 12 record for most rushing touchdowns with 27, equaling the mark set by Ricky Williams. The following year, the Loveland, CO native completed 180 of his 272 pass attempts for 2,490 yards and 15 TDs. He also picked up 890 yards on 194 carries with 22 rushing touchdowns. Due to his outstanding 2012 college football season, he was selected as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and was voted the top offensive player in the Big 12 by the Associated Press.
With Klein behind centre, the Wildcats started 2012 with ten consecutive victories before finishing the season with an 11-1 record, participating in their first conference championship since 2003. The team later played in the 2013 Fiesta Bowl, losing to the Oregon Ducks. Klein was invited to the Houston Texans’ rookie camp in the spring of 2013 and also attended the Alouettes’ mini-camp in Florida last April.
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LB Gary Guyton with the Patriots. |
Guyton (6’3”, 245 lbs.) played four seasons with the New England Patriots from 2008 until 2011 following his tenure with the Georgia Tech University Yellow Jackets. Guyton suited-up for 60 games with the Patriots, totaling 229 tackles, three interceptions — including one he returned 59 yards for a touchdown — and a fumble return he ran back 35 yards for the major. In just his second season in the NFL, he earned a starting spot in each of the 16 games he played under coach Bill Belichick. The Hinesville, GA native also signed contracts with the Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee Titans.
Smith (5’10”, 186 lbs.) played three games with the St. Louis Rams in 2011 before joining the Tampa Bay Storm in the Arena League in 2013. During his senior season with Northern Illinois University, he was selected to the Mid-American All-Star team after recording 50 solo tackles and three interceptions, in addition to his 15 knockdowns.
