The Montreal Alouettes announced on Thursday they have signed two American linebackers Jeremy Banks and Troy Brown. Both linebackers played for teams in the SEC.
LB Jeremy Banks – (24 y/o, 6’1, 224 lbs)
Jeremy Banks played his collegiate ball for the Tennessee Volunteers where he started as a running back. Banks rushed 52 times as a freshman in 2018 for 185 yards (3.6 average) and 3 touchdowns.
Banks transitioned to linebacker in 2019 where he played 37 games from 2019 to 2022. He amassed 109 solo tackles, 110 assisted tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 10 passes defended, 5.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. In 2021 he led the team with 128 total tackles and was 2nd in the SEC and 7th in the nation.
Banks signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2023 although he was released in June of 2023.
LB Troy Brown – Ole Miss (24 y/o, 6’1, 220 lbs)
Troy Brown began his collegiate career at Central Michigan where he redshirted in 2017. He played in 41 games with the program from 2018 to 2021. He compiled 158 solo tackles, 57 assisted tackles, 31.5 tackles for a loss, 17 passes defended, 5 interceptions, 6.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles at Central Michigan.
Brown was recognized for his outstanding play at Central Michigan by being named First Team All-MAC in 2019, 2020, and 2021. He was also selected by his teammates as the Herb Deromedi Team MVP in 2019.
Brown transferred to Ole Miss for his final season in 2022 where he played in all 13 games with 12 starts. He would lead Ole Miss with 93 tackles and was second on the team with 5 pass breakups. He accumulated 44 solo tackles, 49 assisted tackles, 5 passes defended, 2.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in 2022. Brown was named Third Team All-SEC by PFF in 2022.
Brown was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He was placed on injured reserve on August 17 and waived from injured reserve on August 23.
Jonathan Clink joined CFL News Hub in early April of 2023. His primary responsibilities are covering the BC Lions and Montreal Alouettes.
He self awarded himself the CFL Rookie Journalist of the Year in 2023 following the 2023 CFL season. He also proclaims himself to be a "really cool guy". He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and lived a large portion of his childhood in Northwest Ontario. He currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan and misses being being able to have 4 months of skating every winter.
Clink has written over 240 articles for CFL News Hub. He was the publication's boots on the ground at the 2023 Grey Cup in Hamilton.
Clink has always had an obsession for sport and has a background in other sports as well having played hockey all his life and soccer, basketball, and lacrosse in high school. As a young child he used to log his hockey statistics after every game which is either an indication that he was destined for the role or perhaps and indication that he is rather strange.
