The Montreal Alouettes signed defensive lineman Praise Amaewhule and defensive back DeShawn Gaddie Jr. on Tuesday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Praise Amaewhule is six foot three and weighs 250 pounds. A native of Katy, Texas, Amaewhule went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Collegiately, Amaewhule played six seasons at the University of Texas at El Paso (2018-23) making 145 tackles (75 solos, 70 assists), 38 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks, one interception for 17 yards, 23 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles, three forced fumbles, and three blocked punts in 61 games for the Miners.
In 2023, he made 33 tackles (16 solos, 17 assists), six tackles for loss, five sacks, one interception for 17 yards, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two blocked kicks in 12 games. He was named First Team All-Conference USA in 2021 and a two-time Second Team All-Conference USA in 2020 and 2022.
DeShawn Gaddie Jr. is six foot one and weighs 190 pounds. The 23-year-old from Indianapolis, Indiana, signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024, and released him on May 13, 2024.
Collegiately, Gaddie Jr. played four seasons at North Texas (2019-22) making 148 tackles (95 solos, 53 assists), two tackles for loss, two interceptions, 23 pass breakups, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two blocked kicks, and one punt return for nine yards in 47 games for the Mean Green. He was named First Team All-Conference USA by PFF and an All-Conference USA Honorable Mention in 2022.
Then, Gaddie Jr. transferred to Ole Miss in 2023 making nine tackles (5 solos, 4 assists), and three pass breakups in 13 games for the Rebels.
