The Montreal Alouettes have listed Tyrell Richards as the club’s starting middle linebacker for Thursday’s game against the Edmonton Elks.
The six-foot-four, 218-pound defender was the first overall pick in the 2022 CFL Draft and has dressed as a backup through the first four games of the season, recording two defensive tackles and three special teams tackles.
Richards played three seasons at Syracuse and recorded 54 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception, three knockdowns, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He brought tremendous versatility to the team, taking reps at defensive lineman, linebacker, defensive back and on special teams.
The native of Brampton, Ont. showed elite athleticism at the CFL Combine in Toronto, running a 4.60-second forty-yard dash, 7.01-second three-cone drill, and 4.25-second shuttle.
The Alouettes acquired the first overall in the 2022 CFL Draft via trade with the Edmonton Elks in May. Edmonton will also be fielding a new middle linebacker when the two teams meet on Thursday night with Tre Watson slated to get the start.
Watson started the first four games of the season at middle linebacker for the Alouettes but was released on July 4 following two incidents with unnamed personnel. This will be his first game as a member of the Elks.
