The Montreal Alouettes and offensive lineman Justin Lawrence agreed to a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season on Monday. They also signed defensive lineman Jerron Cage and defensive back Darion McKenzie.
Justin Lawrence is six foot two and weighs 300 pounds. The 28-year-old from Edmonton, Alberta, played 18 games for the Montreal Alouettes in 2024. In 2024, Montreal averaged 25.3 points per game (5th), 332.9 net offense per game (9th), 84.3 rushing yards per game (8th), 264.4 passing yards per game (7th), and 46 touchdowns (4th).
The Calgary Stampeders drafted Lawrence in the fifth round (39th pick) of the 2018 CFL Draft. He played 38 games in three seasons in Calgary winning the Grey Cup in 2018. In 2022, he played 17 games for the Toronto Argonauts winning another Grey Cup.
The Montreal Alouettes signed Lawrence on February 14, 2023. In 2023, he played 18 games. Montreal’s offense finished seventh in offensive points per game (20.6), fourth in touchdowns (43), sixth in average net offensive yards (329.7), fifth in average rushing yards (102.2), sixth in average passing yards (250.0), and eighth in sacks allowed (61).
Collegiately, Lawrence played four seasons at the University of Alberta (2014-17) playing 30 games for the Golden Bears. In 2017, Alberta’s offense averaged 33 points per game, 205.6 rushing yards per game, 311.33 passing yards per game, 504.7 total yards per game, and 33 touchdowns finishing 3-6 for the season.
Jerron Cage is six foot two and weighs 304 pounds. The 26-year-old from Cincinnati, Ohio, signed with the New Orleans Saints on May 12, 2023. In 2023, he made three tackles (2 solo, 1 assist) in three preseason games. The Saints released him on August 29, 2023.
The Montreal Alouettes signed Cage on January 30, 2024. The Alouettes released him on May 15, 2024. Montreal re-signed Cage on October 13, 2024, and spent the rest of the season on the practice squad. The Alouettes released him again on November 10, 2024.
Collegiately, Cage played five seasons at Ohio State (2018-22) making 34 tackles (13 solos, 24 assists), eight tackles for loss, three sacks, one pass breakup, three fumble recoveries, and one touchdown in 30 games for the Buckeyes.
Darion McKenzie is six foot two and weighs 200 pounds. The 25-year-old from Berlin, Maryland, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and attended the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp. The Montreal Alouettes signed McKenzie on May 22, 2024. In 2024, he made one tackle and one fumble recovery in two preseason games. Montreal released him on June 1, 2024.
Collegiately, McKenzie played five seasons at Merrimack University (2017-23) making 84 tackles (62 solos, 22 assists), 4.5 tackles for loss, seven interceptions for 74 yards, one touchdown, 31 pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, 14 kick returns for 389 yards, two punt returns for 79 yards, and one touchdown in 43 games for the Warriors.
In 2023, McKenzie made eight tackles (7 solos, 1 assist), two tackles for loss, three interceptions for 44 yards, and six pass breakups in nine games. In 2021, he was named Second Team All-NEC and the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist after making 34 tackles (24 solos, 10 assists), 2.5 tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, one forced fumble, and 10 kick returns for 306 yards in 11 games.
