The Montreal Alouettes announced on Friday the signing of Canadian defensive back Jonathan Sutherland. Sutherland was drafted by Montreal in the first round, 5th overall, in the 2023 CFL Draft.
DB Jonathan Sutherland – Penn State (5’11, 202 lbs)
Sutherland played his college ball at Penn State, where he played in 59 games with 11 starts from 2018 to 2022, contributing both at safety and linebacker. He recorded 78 solo tackles, 50 assisted tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and an interception with the program. He was a reliable contributor on special teams and blocked 2 punts in the same game in 2019 against Idaho.
Sutherland ran a 4.58 40-yard dash at his pro day, had a 37.5 vertical, and a 10”3’ broad jump, and completed 25 bench reps.
He likely would have been taken earlier in the 2023 CFL Draft had he not already been signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent. When he was drafted by Montreal, he drove from Ottawa to Montreal to speak to the media despite being under contract to play in the NFL.
Sutherland played in 2 preseason games with Seattle in 2023, recording 3 solo tackles and 7 assists, and received high grades from Pro Football Focus. Despite the high upside shown in the preseason, he did not appear in a regular-season game but did remain with the team on the practice roster over the season.
He played in 1 preseason game with the New York Giants in 2024, recording a solo tackle and an assisted tackle, and was shortly thereafter placed on injured reserve and waived.
Sutherland was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders in May of 2025 and waived in June.
Sutherland brings leadership and NFL pedigree to Montreal and could be the starting safety next season if Marc-Antoine Dequoy is not signed to a contract extension.
The Sutherland signing is a great way to cap off a productive week for Montreal’s football operations. Thursday saw the club sign American DB Trey Jones III (Texas A&M) and Bryce Ganious (Wake Forest). The club added American receiver Demeer Blankumsee (Memphis) on Tuesday. Monday, the Alouettes added WR Terique Owens (Missouri State) and WR/KR Phillip Brooks (Kansas State).
