CFL Montreal Alouettes

Alouettes Pick in Australia, Japan and Sweden

April 15, 2021 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Montreal Alouettes News Release


Montreal - The Montreal Alouettes selected Australian kicker Joseph Zema in the first round (sixth overall) of the CFL Global Draft on Thursday.

Montreal then picked Japanese linebacker Akio Yamagishi in the second round (13th overall), Japanese running back Taku Lee in the third round (24th overall), and Swedish defensive back William James in the fourth round (31st overall).

Zema (6'2", 210 lbs.) played 11 games for the Incarnate Word University in Texas in 2017, during which he maintained a 46.7 yard average on 77 punts, forcing opposing teams to start from inside their 20-yard line on 20 occasions. In 2019, the Melbourne, Australia native played for the San Antonio Commanders in the AAF, where he averaged 45.8 yards on 37 punts.

Yamagishi (5'10", 219 lbs.) suited up for the Fujitsu Frontier of the Japanese X-league, helping his team win six consecutive Rice Bowl national championships between 2014 and 2019. He also was the kicker for his team. Voted team captain, he won the College Football Player of the Year award in Japan in 2016.

Lee (6'1", 205 lbs.) helped the Obic Seagulls win the Japan X-League championship last year, completing the game with 111 rushing yards on 21 carries. He scored both of his team's majors in a 13-7 win. He then helped his team go on to win the Rice Bowl.

James (5'11", 195 lbs.) played for the Dresden Monarchs in the German League in 2018, before stops in Australia, Finland, and his native Sweden. He played two seasons for the North Dakota University Fighting Hawks in the NCAA. In 23 games, he registered 94 tackles, one sack, while forcing three fumbles and knocking down four passes.

Check out the Montreal Alouettes Statistics



Canadian Football League Stories from April 15, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central