Alouettes get O-line help with Rutherford

TORONTO — The Montreal Alouettes have added some muscle to their offensive line, selecting the University of Connecticut’s Trey Rutherford second overall in the 2018 CFL Draft.

A Markhan, Ont. native, Rutherford played 12 games with UConn in 2017 and helped the Huskies rush for 100 yards or more on six occasions. Over his three-year career with the Huskies, the 6-foot-5, 312-pound lineman played in 34 total games.

“We are getting the player that we had been targeting for a while, he is a big guy and he will strengthen our offensive line immediately,” Montreal Alouettes’ GM Kavis Reed said after the selection. “According to our scouts, he will play an important role in protecting our quarterbacks for years to come.”

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The Alouettes originally had the first pick in the draft before trading down a spot with the Ticats on Wednesday night, acquiring veteran guard Ryan Bomben in the process.

Rutherford was the fourth-ranked prospect in the final Central Scouting Bureau ranking last month, and could compete for a role right away.