Syracuse, N.Y. — A pair of former Syracuse football players were the first players selected in separate drafts for the Canadian Football League on Tuesday.
Both players were drafted by the same team.
Linebacker Tyrell Richards was the No. 1 overall pick for the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL draft.
Earlier Tuesday, defensive end Kingsley Jonathan, a native of Nigeria, was selected by the Aloutettes with the first overall pick in the CFL’s Global Draft, which pools non-Canadian and non-American prospects.
Jonathan agreed to a deal with the Buffalo Bills after going undrafted in the NFL draft over the weekend.
Richards transferred out of the SU program after the 2020 season but did not play last fall.
A native of Brampton, Ontario, Richards finished his college career with 54 tackles, including 9.5 for loss and six sacks. He was honored as the team’s top special teams player at its end-of-season banquet in 2019.
Other former players to receive pro opportunities include defensive linemen Josh Black and McKinley Williams.
Black has been invited to tryout for a contract with the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints over the next two weeks.
Williams signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on Saturday night.
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