Defensive lineman Avery Ellis has never played for the Montreal Alouettes, but he knows a lot about the team and its players. After all, he’s spent the first four seasons of his CFL career in the East Division with the Ottawa Redblacks and the two teams faced off four times in 2021.
The 27-year-old officially inked a new deal with the Als last Tuesday, which was the first day of CFL free agency. The team had a clear need at defensive end after the departures of David Menard (B.C. Lions) and Jamal Davis II (Los Angeles Chargers), so the fit made perfect sense.
Ellis, who grew up close to New York City in Newark, New Jersey, describes himself as a big-city guy, who likes living in a fast-paced environment. So, naturally, when the Alouettes came calling, he felt like it was a great fit on and off the field.
“I always loved the city,” the defensive end told MontrealAlouettes.com. “The city reminded me of a place that I could find myself (spending time). I always liked more of a fast-paced area that’s more populated with people. There are more things to do and more ways to get around. I love the structure and architecture of the city and how it’s designed. Those are the two things (that stand out).
“I heard the (team’s) staff is great and I always had some of my best games at Montreal. I think it was definitely a calling for me.”
He’ll be an integral part of an Als defensive line that led the league in quarterback sacks last year, with 49. During his time in Ottawa, he managed to register a career-high six sacks twice (2017 and 2019) and he totaled 18 over 57 games with the Redblacks, who are the only CFL team he’s played for during his career.
“For me to leave (Ottawa), it was definitely a difficult decision because I spent so much time there,” he said. “It was one of the first places that accepted me as a player fresh out of college. I kind of made a home there, but all good things have to come to an end. My time there was just growing thin. It was time for me to make a change and the change isn’t too far away.”
Even though he’s made a career of getting after the quarterback, Ellis didn’t start playing football until his first two years of high school. Growing up, he played a lot of basketball, and he also took an interest in martial arts. The only reason he attended a Montclair High School football tryout was because his friends were participating, and he thought it would be a great way to stay in shape for basketball season. In the end, football was the way to go.
Ellis started practicing Moo Duk Kwan, which is a form of Korean Taekwondo, and Jiu Jitsu when he was seven years old. He has a black belt in Moo Duk Kwan and still practices Jiu Jitsu as part of his off-season football training.
“(It helps) a ton,” he said when asked how Jiu Jitsu helps get him ready for football season. “Playing defensive end, it’s all handwork and understanding leverages. When I’m out there, some things are just muscle-memory. If someone is about to attack me, I know when and where to place my hands.”
There will be many offensive linemen looking to attack him once the 2022 season kicks off in June, but that also means that there will be plenty of opportunity for the new Alouette to get them to tap out.
