The management of Montreal Alouettes continues to refine its roster for next season.
The organization formalized, this Wednesday, February 25, 2026, the hiring of the talented American wide receiver Zachary Franklin. This acquisition promises to add an interesting athletic dimension to the offensive system of the 2023 Gray Cup champions.
A native of Dallas, Texas, Franklin has an ideal build of 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds. His academic career demonstrates remarkable consistency at the highest level. After dominating with the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) between 2019 and 2022 – collecting several nominations on the teams along the way All-American et All-USA — he concluded his academic internship with the Fighting Illini of the University of Illinois in 2024. During this last campaign, he caught 55 passes for gains of 652 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games.
This technical background also opened the doors to the prestigious NFL last year. In 2025, he was part of the organization of Las Vegas Raidersan enriching experience which should facilitate his transition to the intricacies of Canadian football and its wider fields.
An elite pedigree to energize the Alouettes’ aerial game
Franklin’s arrival in Montreal did not go unnoticed. The 25-year-old has this rare ability to win his one-on-one duels, a quality sought by the Montreal staff to support the veterans already in place. His versatility, demonstrated during his time in Conference USA and at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in 2023, makes him a prime target for the team’s quarterbacks.
By banking on a player who has come close to the regular level of the NFL, the Alouettes are ensuring a top-tier reinforcement capable of quickly adapting to the demanding playing patterns of the CFL. Fans will certainly be eager to see how the Texas native uses his speed to stretch opposing defenses at Percival-Molson Stadium this summer.
