Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
MONTREAL — The Montreal Alouettes have released veteran quarterback Drew Willy and signed new deals with three of their 2018 draft picks including Université Laval wide receiver Étienne Moisan, the team announced on Thursday.
The club also announced it has released international running back Lawrence Pittman.
Willy joined the Alouettes in 2017 and suited up for 10 games over that span. In 2018, he completed 52 of 79 pass attempts for 566 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in four games. Before joining the Als, the 32-year-old spent time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2012, 2013), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2014-2016) and Toronto Argonauts (2016). Willy was set to become a free agent in February.
Receiver Richmond Nketiah as well as defensive back Lekab Idowu also signed new deals. All three were present at the Alouettes training camp last spring, but Moisan was a spectator as he was nurturing a lingering injury.
Moisan (6’0″, 195 lbs.)was drafted in the sixth round (51st overall) by the Alouettes. He returned to Université Laval to play one final season last fall and helped the Rouge et Or win its 10th Vanier Cup in school history. In five games last season, he caught four passes good for 57 yards, maintaining a 14.2-yard average per catch. The 24-year-old Saint-Eustache, QC native completed his collegiate career with 50 catches for 699 yards and three majors, while making nine tackles.
Nketiah (6’0″, 188 lbs.), who was drafted in the seventh round (56th overall), caught 23 passes for 278 yards and two majors last season with the Waterloo University Warriors. During his time with the Warriors, the 23-year-old amassed 996 receiving yards on 83 catches, while carrying the ball 36 times for 141 yards and a touchdown. He also returned 17 kickoffs for 397 yards.
Idowu (5’8″, 188 lbs.)was selected in the eighth round (61st overall). The defensive back did not play in 2018, after registering 24 tackles in 2017 with the Windsor University Lancers.
The Alouettes also announced that the following players were added to the roster:
Andrew Bennett (N) WR, Regina
Josh Cleveland (I) RB, Bowling Green State
Jordan Harris (I) LB, Iowa State
Deaundre Jones-Williams (I) WR, Glenville State College
Jamarcus King (I) DB, South Carolina
Damian Love (I) OL, Texas A&M
Lonte Morton (I) DL, Virginia Union
Elijah Norris (I) DL, Shepherd College
Andrew Opoku (I) WR, Delaware
DeQuinton Osborne (I) DL, Oklahoma State
Jake Wieneke (I) WR, South Dakota State
