Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
MONTREAL — Brandon Rutley and Jovon Johnson will be back with the Montreal Alouettes in 2017, as the team announced Monday new deals for both players.
Rutley, an international running back, signed a new two-year deal while Johnson, a veteran international defensive back, is signed up through 2017.
Both players became free agents on Feb. 14.
Rutley experienced his best season in 2016, as he collected a 800 combined yards in 12 outings, including 11 games as the starter. He put his versatility on full display, carrying the ball 113 times for 495 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He ranked seventh in the CFL for rushing yards last season.
He also caught 35 passes, adding 305 receiving yards and two scores.
“It is imperative for a team to have multiple key components at all positions, and Brandon’s new contract allows us to keep an elite running back on our team,” commented Alouettes general manager Kavis Reed. “He is a double threat on the field, as well as a reliable teammate, as is Jovon, who continues to perform at a high level, all while mentoring our young players”.
In his professional career, Rutley, a San Jose State University product, amassed a total of 622 receiving yards on 58 receptions, including three touchdowns. In four seasons in the CFL, the 27-year-old carried the ball 199 times, amassing 972 rushing yards, and scoring seven touchdowns.
In his two playoff outings with the Alouettes, he collected a total of 199 combined yards. He also returned 20 kickoffs for 437 yards in his CFL career. The Tuscaloosa, Ala. native played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats during his first year in the CFL.
Johnson returns to Montreal for a second season, which will mark his 11th in the CFL. The dynamic defensive back was key member to the success of Noel Thorpe’s defensive squad last season, registering 59 defensive tackles, six quarterback sacks and three interceptions. The 34-year-old also knocked down eight passes in 18 starts.
Johnson previously played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Ottawa REDBLACKS. He was elected a CFL All-Star on two occasions (2009 and 2011) and an East Division All-Star five times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015).
