Alouettes take ex-Syracuse LB Tyrell Richards first overall in CFL Draft

After making a trade for the top pick, the Montreal Alouettes selected former Syracuse Orange linebacker Tyrell Richards first overall in the 2022 CFL Draft on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, the Alouettes acquired the first selection from the Edmonton Elks for the No. 4 overall pick and the rights to Canadian offensive lineman Carter O’Donnell, who is currently with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.

Richards didn’t play in 2021 because he did not have enough school credits after entering the NCAA transfer portal. The product of Brampton, Ont., had 24 tackles and two sacks in eight games for Syracuse in 2020.

Richards marked the Alouettes first pick in the first round since 2018. T

Earlier Tuesday, the Alouettes grabbed a former Syracuse teammate of Richards when they selected defensive end Kingsley Jonathan with the first pick in the CFL’s Global Draft.

A native of Nigeria, Jonathan signed with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills last weekend.