The Montreal Alouettes have added a pair of American linebackers from the SEC to their training camp roster, signing Jeremy Banks and Troy Brown.
Banks played five seasons at the University of Tennessee, originally committing to the Volunteers as a running back. He carried 52 times for 185 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman before moving to defence, racking up 219 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 10 pass breakups and three interceptions.
The six-foot-one, 224-pound linebacker attended the 2023 NFL Combine, where he clocked a 4.53-second forty-yard dash and vertical jumped 37.5 inches while also posting 25 reps on the bench. Despite those numbers, he went unselected in the NFL Draft and later signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent, though he was released prior to the start of training camp.
Brown finished his collegiate career at the University of Mississippi, posting 93 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and five pass breakups in 13 games for the Rebels in 2022. He transferred from Central Michigan University after four seasons, earning All-MAC first-team honours on three occasions. In 41 games for the Chippewas, he posted 215 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, five interceptions and three forced fumbles.
The six-foot-one, 220-pound defender went unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft and signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent. He was waived following training camp.
The Alouettes will open the 2024 season on June 6 when they visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Princess Auto Stadium for a Grey Cup rematch.
