The Montreal Alouettes signed former Elks defensive lineman Avery Ellis, former Argonauts defensive back Chris Moore, and former Arkansas State defensive lineman Kivon Bennett. In addition, the Alouettes released defensive backs Jeremy Webb and David Rivers, running back Jerry Howard Jr., and wide receiver Tyshaun James.
Avery Ellis is six foot two and weighs 250 pounds. The 28-year-old from Newark, New Jersey, made 17 tackles (16 DT, 1 ST), three sacks, and one forced fumble in seven games for the Elks in 2022. The Elks acquired him from the Montreal Alouettes in 2022. Ellis had 18 tackles and four sacks in nine games for Montreal before the trade.
Before Montreal, Ellis spent four seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks, making 147 tackles (145 DT, 1 ST), one touchdown, two forced fumbles, and 21 sacks in 66 games.
Collegiately, Ellis played four seasons at Temple (2012, 2014-16) with 41 tackles (23 solo, 18 assists), eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two blocked kicks in 48 games for the Owls.
Chris Moore is six foot and weighs 210 pounds. The 24-year-old from Ashburn, Virginia, had a short stint with the Baltimore Ravens. He signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent.
Collegiately, Moore played three seasons at the University of Virginia (2016-17, 2019) with 97 tackles and one interception in 32 games. He missed the 2018 season due to an injury. Then, Moore transferred to Georgia State (2020-21) with 104 tackles, one interception, six pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 22 games.
Kivon Bennett is six foot two and weighs 236 pounds. The 24-year-old from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, played two seasons at Arkansas State (2021-22) with 108 tackles (51 solo, 57 assists), 26 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, four pass breakups, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick in 23 games for the Red Wolves. Bennett was named Second Team All-Sun Belt in 2021 and Third Team All-Sun Belt in 2022.
Before Arkansas State, Bennett played four seasons at Tennessee (2017-20) with 52 tackles (28 solo, 24 assists), 13.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery in 28 games for the Volunteers.
Jeremy Webb is six foot four and weighs 205 pounds. The 26-year-old from East Mims, Florida, began his collegiate career at ASA Community College in 2017 with 29.5 tackles and four pass breakups in ten games for the Avengers. He was named to the First-Team Northeast Football All-Conference in 2017.
After ASA College, Webb transferred to Virginia Tech in 2018. However, he tore his Achilles tendon and missed the season. In 2019, Webb made one tackle in three games for the Hokies.
After Virginia Tech, Webb transferred to Missouri State in 2020. He made 38 tackles, three interceptions, and nine pass breakups in ten games for the Bears. In 2021, Webb transferred to Kansas University. He made 32 tackles and three pass breakups in 11 games, of which three were starts.
David Rivers III is six foot and weighs 185 pounds. The 28-year-old from Miami, Florida, made 16 tackles and three pass breakups in nine games for the Generals in 2022.
David Rivers III signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2017 before being released. Shortly after his release, he signed with the New York Jets and later the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played three regular season games for Tampa Bay in a span of two seasons. Rivers also had a brief stint with the Miami Dolphins twice.
In 2020, Rivers was drafted by the New York Guardians but was traded to the St. Louis Battlehawks. He played five games, of which four were starts with ten tackles. After the XFL ceased operations due to the pandemic, Rivers signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and played one game.
Collegiately, Rivers played four seasons at Youngstown State (2013-16) with 65 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions for 40 yards, 14 pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 40 games for the Penguins.
Jerry Howard Jr. is six foot and weighs 230 pounds. The 24-year-old from Rock Hill, South Carolina, was on the Alouettes practice squad in 2022. Before joining Montreal, Howard Jr. had a brief stint with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent.
Collegiately, Howard Jr. played four seasons at Georgia Tech (2017-20) with 154 carries for 850 yards, seven touchdowns, 11 catches for 157 yards, and one touchdown in 40 games for the Yellow Jackets.
In 2021, he went to Towson as a graduate transfer with 191 carries for 932 yards, three touchdowns, 15 catches for 134 yards, and one touchdown in 11 games for the Tigers. He was named to the All-CAA Third Team.
Tyshaun James is six foot three and weighs 210 pounds. The 23-year-old from Middletown, Connecticut, signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent. He also worked out for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Collegiately, James played five seasons at Central Connecticut (2017-21) with 114 catches for 1,881 yards, 18 touchdowns, 61 carries for 294 yards, six touchdowns, and two kick returns for 39 yards in 43 games for the Blue Devils.
In his final season, James had 45 catches for 674 yards, five touchdowns, 22 carries for 67 yards, and one touchdown in 11 games. James had a league-high seven catches for 169 yards, and one touchdown against Duquesne on November 13th.
He is a two-time First Team All-Northeast Conference. In addition, he ranked among the NEC leaders in receptions per game (4.9, 4th), receiving yards per game (59.0, 5th), and all-purpose yards per game (65.09, 7th).
In 2019, Jones helped the Blue Devils win the league title with 48 catches for 978 yards, nine touchdowns, and 24 carries for 167 yards in 13 games. James played with current Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Jake Dolegala for a couple of seasons.
