The Montreal Alouettes released running back Michael Herzog, offensive lineman Ed Montilus, defensive lineman Philippe Lemieux-Cardinal, and linebacker Tre Thomas from the practice squad on Friday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Michael Herzog is five foot nine and weighs 200 pounds. The 24-year-old from Windsor, Ontario, was drafted by the Montreal Alouettes in the sixth round (56th pick) of the 2024 CFL Draft. Herzog attended the Detroit Lions rookie minicamp in 2024.
He played two preseason games for the Montreal Alouettes with 12 carries for 38 yards. Montreal released him on June 2, 2024. Herzog re-signed with the Montreal Alouettes on September 1, 2024, and was placed on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Herzog played five seasons at Hillsdale College (2019-23) with 430 carries for 2,273 yards, 29 touchdowns, 27 catches for 177 yards, and three tackles (2 solo, 1 assist) in 30 games for the Chargers. In 2023, Herzog had 230 carries for 1,333 yards, 21 touchdowns, 11 catches for 50 yards, and three tackles (2 solo, 1 assist) in 11 games.
At the 2024 CFL Combine, Herzog ran a 4.55 in the 40-yard dash, 39 in the vertical jump, 9’11 7/8 in the broad jump, 6.94 in the 3-cone drill, and 4.2 in the shuttle drills.
Ed Montilus is six foot three and weighs 315 pounds. The 25-year-old from Apopka, Florida, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. He had a rookie minicamp tryout with the Cleveland Brown in 2024. Montilus signed with the Montreal Alouettes on September 1, 2024, and was placed on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Montilus played five seasons at North Carolina (2019-23) playing left guard in 59 games for the Tar Heels. In 2023, North Carolina’s offense ranked 14th in the NCAA in passing yards per game (299.2), 19th in the NCAA in rushing yards per game (192.1), seventh in total yards per game (491.2), and 20th in points per game (34.5).
Philippe Lemieux-Cardinal is six foot five and weighs 252 pounds. The 27-year-old from Montreal, Quebec, went undrafted in the 2022 CFL Draft. He signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on January 21, 2023. He was released by the Redblacks on May 22, 2023.
The Montreal Alouettes signed Lemieux-Cardinal on September 1, 2024. He appeared in one game against the Calgary Stampeders in Week 15 recording no stats.
Collegiately, Lemieux-Cardinal played six seasons with the Carabins (2017-19, 2021-22) with 72.5 tackles, 20.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, seven pass breakups, one interception, and one touchdown. His one interception came in 2018 against Concordia and he returned it for a 78-yard touchdown in a 75-3 win.
In 2021, Lemieux-Cardinal had 13.5 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in seven games. He was named U Sports First All-Star Team, RSEQ Lineman of the Year, and RSEQ All-Star Defensive Team.
In 2022, he made 17 tackles, 5.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and two pass breakups in seven games. The Montreal Carabins finished in second place with a 6-2 record and lost the Dunsmore Cup to Laval 25-24. Lemieux-Cardinal was named U Sports Second All-Star and RSEQ All-Star Defensive Team in 2022.
Tre Thomas is six foot one and weighs 220 pounds. The 25-year-old from Burnsville, Minnesota, signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on May 8, 2024. He played two preseason games making 9 tackles and one tackle on special teams. The Blue Bombers released him on June 2, 2024. The Montreal Alouettes signed Thomas on September 1, 2024, and was placed on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Thomas played four seasons at South Dakota (2019-22) making 78 tackles (33 solo, 45 assists), six tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception for six yards, nine pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 30 games for the Coyotes.
Then, Thomas transferred to Idaho in 2023 making 81 tackles (36 solo, 45 assists), seven tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble in 12 games for the Vandals.
