The Alouettes kicked off their draft by selecting right tackle Tiger Shanks from UNLV fifth overall. The Alouettes’ draft class saw many selections of players developed in Quebec, with three players from Université de Montréal, including quarterback Jonathan Sénécal, and one from Université Laval.

Round 1 (5) OL Tiger Shanks – UNLV

(24 y/o, 6/2, 325)

Tiger Shanks was the 6th highest ranked prospect by CFL Central Scouting in their final rankings. Tiger played his college ball at UNLV, where he was a starter for the majority of his career. As a freshman, he started the final 2 games of the season at left tackle. Over the next 4 seasons, he would play in 49 games for the program, starting in nearly all of them at right tackle. Shanks was First Team All-Mountain West in 2023 and 2024.

Shanks had an impressive year according to Pro Football Focus, who attribute him to allowing 1 sack and just 11 total pressures over 410 pass blocking snaps. PF gave him a 71.9 run blocking grade and an impressive 82.8 pass blocking grade. If his success is able to translate at the professional level, then he will be a rare example of a starting Canadian at tackle.

Round 2 (14) DB Nate Beauchemin – Calgary

(24 y/o, 6’0 7/8”, 204 lbs)

Nate Beauchemin is coming off a strong season that saw him recognized as the U Sports All-Star and President’s Trophy Winner (defensive player of the year), in addition to being a Canada West All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year. In 2024, he recorded 41 total tackles (28 solo, 26 assisted), 4 interceptions, 4 passes defended, and a forced fumble. In 2023, he also had 4 interceptions and paired it with 7 passes defended. He played in 28 regular-season games over his 4-year career with the Dinos, recording 110 tackles (80 solo, 62 assisted), 3.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 8 interceptions, 14 passes defended, and 3 forced fumbles.

Beauchemin was ranked 20th overall by CFL Central Scouting. 

At the CFL Combine, he recorded a 4.63-second 40-yard dash, a 4.33-second shuttle, a 6.96-second 3-cone drill, a 36-inch vertical, a 10’3 1/4” broad jump, and 17 bench reps (225 lbs).

Round 3 (23) LB Gabriel Lessard – Montreal

(24 y/o, 6’1 3/4”, 233 lbs)

A hometown talent from Université de Montréal, Gabriel Lessard brings size and strength to the linebacker position. In 2024, he played in 8 regular season games, recording 11 solo tackles and 7 assisted tackles. He was an impact player on special teams.

At the CFL Combine, he posted 21 bench reps, a 4.86-second 40-yard dash, a 4.2-second shuttle, a 6.85-second 3-cone drill, a 34.5-inch vertical, and a 10’0 5/8” broad jump.

Round 3 (26) WR Hakeem Harris – Davenport

(24 y/o, 6’2 5/8”, 210 lbs)

Hakeem Harris played at Davenport University, where his production peaked in 2024 with 14 receptions for 238 yards and 1 touchdown over 8 games. While some might overlook Harris for having a lower value in production at a D2 program, Davenport competes in one of the toughest D2 divisions with powerhouses such as Ferris State and Grand Valley State.

At the CFL Combine, he impressed with a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, a 4.25-second shuttle, a 7.12-second 3-cone drill, a 36-inch vertical, a 10’9 3/8” broad jump, and 12 bench reps. Harris had the 4th fastest 40 time out of receivers at the CFL combine and is bigger than those faster than him.

Round 4 (35) RB Keanu Yazbeck – Western

(24 y/o, 5’11 3/4”, 212 lbs)

Keanu Yazbeck had a monster year in 2024 at Western University, rushing 103 times for 906 yards and 8 touchdowns over 11 games, while adding 11 catches for 149 yards and a receiving touchdown. His career totals over 31 games include 190 rushes for 1,667 yards (8.8 avg) and 14 touchdowns, plus 16 receptions for 208 yards and a receiving touchdown.

At the CFL Combine, he ran a 4.67-second 40-yard dash, a 4.02-second shuttle

Round 5 (44) DL Gabriel Maisonneuve – Montreal

(24 y/o, 6’3 1/8”, 236 lbs)

Gabriel Maisonneuve is another addition to the defense from Université

At the CFL combine, he performed 21 bench reps, a 4.72-second 40-yard dash, a 4.32-second shuttle, a 6.87-second 3-cone drill, a 31-inch vertical, and a 9’11 1/2” broad jump.

Round 6 (53) WR Isaac Gaillaretz – Laval

(24 y/o, 6’1 3/4”, 217 lbs)

Isaac Gaillaret

At the CFL Combine, he recorded a 36.5-inch vertical, a 4.75-second 40-yard dash, a 4.21-second shuttle, a 7.2-second 3-cone drill, a 9’11 1/2” broad jump, and 7 bench reps. His vertical leap highlights potential as a possession or red-zone target.

Round 7 (62) QB Jonathan Sénécal – Montreal

(24 y/o, 6’0 3/8”, 201 lbs)

Jonathan Sénécal, a third selection from Université de Montréal, had another strong year in 2024, completing 71.5% of his passes for 2,320 yards, 15 touchdowns with 6 interceptions over 8 games, while rushing for 278 yards and 3 touchdowns. In 2023, he won the Hec Crighton Trophy, completing 69.6% for 2,215 yards, 15 touchdowns with 4 interceptions, plus 394 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, leading the Carabins to a Vanier Cup title and MVP honors.

At the combine, he ran a 4.68-second 40-yard dash, a 4.08-second shuttle, a

Round 8 (70) LB Riley MacLeod – Western

(24 y/o, 6’1 1/8”, 228 lbs)

MacLeod finished his 4th season with Western with 236 total tackles over his

At the CFL Combine, he posted 18 bench reps, a 5.03-second 40-yard dash, a 4.21-second shuttle, a 6.82-second 3-cone drill, a 34.5-inch vertical, and a 10’0 1/2” broad jump.

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