The Montreal Alouettes announced on Monday that they have signed Mustafa Johnson through the 2025 season. At 24 years of age, Johnson was arguably the most impactful interior defensive lineman in 2023 which was his first full season in the CFL. Johnson was a pending free agent had a contract not been reached.
“I am happy to be back with the Alouettes. I feel at home in Montreal and I appreciate the confidence the team has in me.” Stated Mustafa Johnson. “I look forward to continuing to help the team win another championship. There is a lot of talent in this locker room.”
Johnson was recognized as an East Division All-Star by the CFL. He was also recognized by Pro Football Focus as having the highest overall grade among interior defensive linemen.
Johnson was highly impactful over the Alouettes’ postseason run which saw them finish with a Grey Cup championship. Over the three playoff games, Johnson had 8 tackles and 2 sacks. By my count, he also had 3 QB hurries, 2 run stops, an assisted run stop, and 1 batted pass.
Johnson made several impactful plays over the postseason run. In the Eastern Semi-Final against Hamilton, Johnson had a sack and deflected a pass at the line which was intercepted by Darnell Sankey. In the Eastern Final against Toronto, Johnson chased Kelly out of the pocket and Kelly threw a high-risk pass to avoid a sack which was intercepted by Darnell Sankey.
In the Grey Cup Johnson had a sack in which he overpowered Winnipeg’s offensive line up the middle and also had 2 QB hurries.
Johnson started all 18 regular season games for the Alouettes this season and contributed 43 tackles, 7 sacks, and had a pass defended.
Johnson was recognized by Pro Football Focus as being named to their first-team all-star team as he had the third-highest PFF run defense grade among defensive linemen and had 18 solo run stops. He also had the second-highest PFF pass-rush grade among all defenders and had the 5th most total pressures at 64. Johnson was named to PFF’s team of the week 6 times over the regular season.
The 2023 season was Johnson’s first full season in the CFL. He joined the Alouettes’ practice roster part-way into the 2022 season and played in the final 8 games with 7 starts contributing 18 tackles and 2 sacks over the regular season. He also started in both of Montreal’s playoff games contributing 2 tackles in 2022.
Johnson played in 35 games for Colorado with 32 starts over his collegiate career. He had 121 total tackles (65 solo) and 17 sacks with the Buffaloes. In 2020 he was second-team All-Pac-12. In 2019 he was recognized by College Football News by being listed on their All-Pac-12 team. In 2018 he was recognized by the Associated Press as being named to their first team All-Pac-12 team.
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Interviews ahead of the Grey Cup:
Winnipeg Blue Bombers: K Sergio Castillo, DE Willie Jefferson, QB Dakota Prukop, RB Brady Oliveira
Montreal Alouettes: LB Tyrice Beverette, LB Reggie Stubblefield, DT Mustafa Johnson, K David Côté, DE Shawn Lemon, CB Kabion Ento, QB Cody Fajardo
Other Articles:
How Montreal Can Beat Winnipeg in the Grey Cup: Eight Keys to Victory
BC Lions’ Tibo Debaillie Interview Ahead of West Division Finals
Alouettes’ Jeshrun Antwi Interview Ahead of East Finals
Alouettes’ Reggie Stubblefield Interview Ahead of East Semi-Finals
BC Lions’ Tibo Debaillie Ahead of CFL West Semi-Finals
Predicting the Rest of the CFL Season
CFL 2nd Period All-Star Team (Weeks 8-14)
CFL Midseason All-Star Team, Awards
First Period CFL and Divisional All-Stars
