The Alouettes traditionally don’t run the ball frequently. And when they do, the majority of those touches are reserved for import tailback Walter Fletcher.
Therefore, it hardly came as a surprise on Wednesday when the Als announced Canadian tailback Jeshrun Antwi had been traded to the B.C. Lions for a 2025 third-round draft choice.
Wednesday was the trade deadline in the CFL.
Antwi, 26, was in his fourth season with Montreal but had become an afterthought in the team’s offensive scheme, playing mostly on special teams. In 15 games, he had only 10 carries for 20 yards along with five catches for 21 yards.
The Als also have fellow non-import Sean Thomas-Erlington, signed last winter as a free agent from Hamilton, to back up Fletcher.
“We have depth at tailback and enough Canadian depth overall to make the trade,” general manager Danny Maciocia told The Gazette.
Antwi, 6 feet and 213 pounds, had his most productive season in 2022, when he replaced an injured William Stanback. That season Antwi had 106 carries for 600 yards along with 30 receptions for 200 yards. The trade to the Lions will reunite Antwi with Stanback and former Als starting quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.
Antwi was selected by the Als in the sixth round (48th overall) in 2019 out of the University of Calgary. He’s eligible to become a free agent in February.
“Jeshrun is a proven player in this league who will come in and complement the solid backfield we’ve established this season,” said Neil McEvoy, the Lions’ co-general manager and director of football operations. “We feel we’re in a decent position to add a veteran to our group for the push to the playoffs.”
The Lions have been dealing with injuries lately and could use the depth Antwi will provide. He was travelling on Wednesday from Calgary but is expected to dress Friday night, when the Lions host Calgary. B.C. (7-8-0) is third in the West Division and is the host site for this season’s Grey Cup.
The Als (11-3-1) are in the midst of a bye week in the schedule and are coming off a 37-31 loss at Toronto last Saturday. Montreal has clinched first place in the East Division. The Als’ next game is at home, Oct. 14 against Ottawa.