Rookie receiver Austin Mack is Alouettes' nominee for CFL's high award

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Alouettes receiver Austin Mack was dissatisfied earlier this season when he realized he wouldn’t be eligible for the CFL’s most excellent rookie award due to his temporary NFL stint with the New York Giants.

However that pales as compared with what probably may very well be in his future.

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Mack is the Als’ nominee for essentially the most excellent participant award, the CFL introduced on Wednesday morning. Whereas his manufacturing has diminished of late, the 26-year-old unequivocally has been the staff’s greatest offensive menace.

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The 6-foot-2, 206-pounder is the Als’ main receiver. In 16 video games, Mack has caught 78 passes for 1,154 yards whereas scoring 4 touchdowns. He has exceeded 100 yards in 5 of his video games, together with a season-high 143 yards on Sept. 2 in opposition to B.C. However within the 4 video games Mack has performed since, his complete is a pedestrian 183 yards.

Mack, who performed collegiately at Ohio State, went undrafted within the NFL earlier than being signed by the New York Giants. In the course of the 2020 season, he caught seven passes for 91 yards. He additionally had quick stints with Tennessee and San Francisco, however by no means dressed for a recreation, earlier than arriving within the CFL.

Final September, he advised the Montreal Gazette he was ready to retire in January. He graduated with a level in finance.

“For me, it was simply life getting actual,” he mentioned on the time. “In some unspecified time in the future, it’s a must to take a look at your self within the mirror. The NFL’s a troublesome enterprise. Guys are there to take your job day-after-day. You’re there to take their job and there’s any individual on the road ready to take your job. It’s a privilege to play within the NFL, nevertheless it’s a troublesome enterprise and it’s a must to be in your toes each single day.

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“If the chance to play isn’t there, you’ve obtained to search out one thing else.”

Mack’s East Division competitors within the subsequent spherical is Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly, Hamilton receiver Tim White and Ottawa tailback Devonte Williams.

Montreal’s different nominees embody: linebacker Tyrice Beverette on defence; security Marc-Antoine Dequoy (Canadian); guard Pier-Olivier Lestage (offensive lineman); linebacker/defensive again Reggie Stubblefield (rookie), and punter Joseph Zema (particular groups).

Dequoy’s choice was unanimous. In his third season with the Als, he has elevated his recreation and change into dominant. Alongside along with his 53 tackles, Dequoy has a team-leading 5 interceptions, two of which had been returned for touchdowns, together with one in all 108 yards in opposition to Ottawa. He additionally has pressured two fumbles. Dequoy, who has performed in each recreation, has 9 interceptions within the final two seasons.

Beverette has a team-leading 85 defensive tackles, seven quarterback sacks and 4 fumble recoveries, two of which had been returned for touchdowns. He additionally performs on particular groups, the place he has produced 17 tackles.

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In solely 12 video games, Stubblefield has 37 defensive tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and a pressured fumble. His play has improved markedly because the season progressed.

Zema has punted for a 47.4-yard common, whereas Lestage, chosen tenth total by the Als in 2021, got here to Montreal after spending time within the NFL with Seattle as an undrafted free agent.

Voting was performed by chosen members of the Soccer Reporters of Canada in every metropolis, together with every staff’s head coach. Division finalists shall be revealed Nov. 1 with winners introduced Nov. 16, throughout Gray Cup week at Hamilton.

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