Alouettes sign six of 2015 CFL Draft propects, including Canadian quarterback Brandon Bridge
Montrealalouettes.com
Montreal – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Monday that the club has signed six players selected in this year’s CFL Canadian Draft. The team was able to reach agreements with quarterback Brandon Bridge, former Université de Montréal Carabins teammates Mikhaïl Davidson and Anthony Coady, receiver Alex Charette, as well as offensive linemen James Bodanis and Quinn Lawlor.
“We are excited to get these young men under contract,” declared Alouettes General Manager Jim Popp. “They are all great collegiate players and have the ability to have a bright professional future ahead of them.”
Brandon Bridge (6’5” 235 lbs.) signed a two-year deal with the Alouettes. The former South Alabama Jaguars’ pivot, played 20 games over the course of the last two seasons, recording 2,325 passing yards and throwing 16 touchdown passes. The 23-year-old quarterback added five rushing touchdowns and 467 rushing yards on 138 carries with the Jaguars. The Mississauga, ON native sat out the 2012 season after transferring from Alcorn State University, where he threw 24 touchdown passes while scoring eight rushing touchdowns on 120 carries over the 2010 and 2011 campaigns. His strong collegiate career culminated when the Montreal Alouettes selected him in the fourth round (39th Overall) in this year’s draft. He participated in the Dallas Cowboys’ rookie mini-camp earlier this year.
The versatile Quebec-native receiver Mikhaïl Davidson (5’8”, 175 lbs.) agreed to a two-year contract with the Alouettes. The Université de Montreal product led his team last season with seven touchdowns and 769 receiving yards. He added 72 rushing yards including a touchdown in nine carries. The Alouettes’ fifth round pick (40th total) played on a regular basis on special teams racking up 49 yards on four kickoff returns as well as a touchdown and 287 yards on 30 punt returns. In addition to lifting the prestigious Vanier Cup in front of friends and family last year, Davidson was named a RSEQ all-star and a CIS first team all-Canadian in 2014.
Anthony Coady (5’10”, 190 lbs.) signed his first professional contract with the club, which locks up the Quebec prospect for two years. The dynamic defensive back, a second member of the 2014 Vanier Cup champions, Université de Montréal Carabins, was selected in the seventh round (57th overall). The 23-year-old was named a RSEQ all-star following an exceptional season, cumulating 14 tackles while adding an interception and knocking down a pass. He received that same honour in each of his last three seasons. During his two first years with the Carabins, he was coached by current Montreal Alouettes defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe.
James Bodanis (6’5”, 297 lbs.), who signed a 2-year deal, made the switch from the defensive tackle position to the offensive line during his last year with the Michigan State Spartans, where he played in 4 games. The 23-year-old athlete previously played in his hometown with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. The Alouettes selected him in the third round (24th overall), a supplemental pick received in a transaction with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Alex Charette (6’1″, 200 lbs.) signed a four-year deal with the team. The former Guelph University receiver led the Gryphons with 49 receptions in 2014. The 23-year-old completed the season with 567 receiving yards while scoring six touchdowns, earning himself a OUA second-team all-star selection. In 2013, he was voted the team’s co-MVP. The Alouettes selected him in the fourth round (36th total).
The Alouettes have also signed offensive lineman Quinn Lawlor (6’4″, 304 lbs.) for two seasons. The team’s sixth round pick (48th overall) played for the Brigham Young University Cougars, former Alouettes’ receiver Ben Cahoon’s alma mater. The 23-year-old Calgary, AB native played seven games over the past two seasons.
All these players will attend the team’s rookie orientation on-field sessions that will be held at Bishop’s University starting Wednesday, May 27 at 2:00 p.m. at Coulter Field.
Open practice in Saint-Hubert
During the team’s 2015 training camp, the Alouettes will hold its annual intra-squad game on Sunday June 7 at Parc Rosanne-Laflame in Saint-Hubert.
Individual tickets
Individual tickets sales for the upcoming season will begin on May 28 with a pre-sale via the Alouettes Facebook and Twitter accounts. The general sale to the public will begin on June 1, at Admission.com or 1-855-790-1245.
