February 19, 2018

Alouettes lock up trio of free agents

Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca

MONTREAL – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Monday that the club has signed international linebacker Kyle Knox, national kicker Quinn van Gylswyk as well as national running back Shaquille Murray-Lawrence.

Knox spent the last two seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, helping the team host a home playoff game last fall for the first time since 2011. The 29-year-old made 33 defensive tackles in 17 games last season, including eight games as a starter. The Los Angeles, CA native also added eight special teams tackles to his totals, as well as two quarterback sacks, four tackles for losses and registered two knock downs. Prior to joining Winnipeg, the former Fresno State Bulldog played 16 games in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints. He also spent time with the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys. He completed his collegiate career with 215 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 26 tackles for losses and a forced fumble in 46 games.

van Gylswyk  was drafted in the third round (26th overall) by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2016 CFL Canadian draft following his collegiate career with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. The 26-year-old gained professional experience these past two seasons with the Roughriders, playing one game in 2016 where he made a 54-yard field goal while also assuming kickoff duties. The Victoria, BC native completed his university career on a high note as he helped the UBC Thunderbirds win the Vanier Cup, as he made four field goals, including the winning one on the last play of a 26-23 win over the Université de Montréal Carabins at Stade Telus-Université Laval in Quebec City.

Murray-Lawrence spent the last three seasons with the BC Lions, where he carried the ball 47 times for 148 yards and three touchdowns in 39 games, while making 13 catches for 73 yards. The 26-year-old also returned 60 kickoffs for 1,288 yards. Last season, the Scarborough, ON native ran the ball 10 times for gains of 68 yards and one touchdown. He also hauled in two passes for 24 yards in five games. Following his last two collegiate seasons with the UNLV Rebels, where he rushed for 970 yards in 21 games, he was selected in the third round (23rd overall) of the CFL Canadian Draft in 2015.