ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
MISSISSAUGA – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club is pleased to announce that four of its 2011 CFL Canadian Draft picks have signed contracts and will be at Argos Quarterbacks and Rookies Camp tomorrow. WR Djems Kouame (pro: GEMS KOO-AH-ME) (Montreal), DL Alexander Robinson (Western Ontario), WR Jedd Gardner (Guelph) and DT Gregory Alexandre (Montreal) have all signed on.
Commented Argos G.M. & Head Coach, Jim Barker, “We’re really excited to have Djems, Alexander, Jedd and Gregory under contract, and we’re anxious to see them compete at QBs & Rookies camp and into training camp. We drafted these players because they all have special qualities that suit or systems and we expect them to fit in well.”
The Argos selected Djems Kouame in the third round, 18th overall, of the 2011 CFL Canadian Draft. Djems’ work ethic and athletic ability caught the eye of Barker and the Argos staff after a spectacular performance at Duane Forde’s National Invitational Combine. He dressed in 24 games for the Carabins during his university career, and, in 2010, he caught 20 passes for 378 yards and a touchdown. He also set the school’s playoff record with nine catches in a game. Djems was born in Montreal but spent most of his life in Ottawa.
Alexander Robinson was the Argos’ third round, 22nd overall, pick in this year’s draft. A starter in his senior year, ‘Zander’ was named a First-Team OUA All-Star and was the Mustang’s Defensive Lineman of the Year. While under former CFL Head Coach Greg Marshall, he also won a Yates Cup championship and was named CIS Defensive Player of the Week. Zander grew up in Vancouver, B.C. and was a graduate of Vancouver College.
Gardner was the Argonauts’ fourth round, 28th overall, pick in the 2011 CFL Canadian Draft. A First-Team All-Canadian and three-time Conference All-Star during his career, this dynamic playmaker finished his career with 12 receiving touchdowns and 2,000 receiving yards, good for second all-time at the University of Guelph. He started 32 straight games for the Gryphons and returned five missed field goals for touchdowns, including a CIS record 129 yard touchdown return in 2010. Along with his athletic achievements, Jedd is also a fantastic student as he was an Academic All-Canadian in each of his four years at Guelph. He is the first receiver drafted from Guelph by the Boatmen since Michael Palmer was selected in 2003.
The Argos took Alexandre in the fifth round, 35th overall, of the 2011 CFL Canadian Draft. The 6’2”, 285 lbs. defensive lineman joins the Argos after a stellar career at the University of Montreal where he was a CIS First-Team All-Canadian and a four-time First-Team All-Conference selection. Known for his relentless motor, Gregory lived in the opposing team’s backfield as he finished his career with 19 QB sacks and 34 tackles for loss. His athletic ability and knack for the big play was on display in 2010 as he led the QUFL with nine pass-breakups and returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown.
The Toronto Argonauts also announced today that import RB/SB Ryan Christian has been added to the team’s retirement list.