The Montreal Alouettes announced the extension of American wide receiver through the 2026 season on Monday. They also announced the release of American defensive back Dionte Ruffin. The team signed 2 rookies as well, with the signing of American runningback Quali Conley on Monday and American defensive lineman on Tuesday to 2-year entry-level contracts.
WR Alexander Hollins – Eastern Illinois (6’0, 165 lbs)
Alexander Hollins joined Montreal this past season and started in 5 games, recording 8 catches for 163 yards.
Hollins began his CFL career with BC in 2022, where he started in 4 games, catching 13 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. He was extremely productive in 2023 and 2024, with BC starting in 34 games and catching 139 passes for 2,110 yards and 15 touchdowns over that span.
He signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2019, where he played in 5 games and caught 2 passes for 46 yards and spent time on the practice squad. He was later on the Cleveland Browns practice squad late in the 2020 season until he was waived ahead of the 2021 season.
Hollins played his final 2 collegiate seasons with Eastern Illinois in 2017 and 2018, where he caught 126 passes for 1,784 yards and 23 touchdowns.
DB Dionte Ruffin – Western Kentucky (5’11, 283 lbs)
Dionte Ruffin played in 8 games this past season with 8 starts, recording 12 tackles. He joined Montreal ahead of the 2023 season and started in 11 games, recording 22 tackles. He was an important part of the 2023 Grey Cup run, which saw him start in all 3 post season games and record 7 tackles.
In 2024, he started in all 18 games and recorded 55 tackles and 5 interceptions.
Ruffin’s CFL career began with Calgary in 2022, where he started in 9 games and made 39 tackles and an interception.
Ruffin played his collegiate ball for Western Kentucky from 2017 to 2020 where he played in 47 games with 25 starts. He recorded 78 total tackles, 25 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and an interception over his collegiate career.
He was set to become a free agent in February and was granted an early release by Montreal to get a head start on landing his next contract.
RB Quali Conley – Arizona (5’10, 211 lbs)
Quali Conley led the Arizona Wildcats in rushing in 2024, rushing 150 times for 756 yards (4.97 average) and 8 touchdowns. He caught 39 passes for 245 and a touchdown.
He played for the San Jose Spartans in 2023, where he rushed 131 times for 842 yards (6.43 average) and 0 touchdowns. He added 27 receptions for 269 yards.
Conley played for Utah Tech from 2020 to 2022, where he rushed 338 times for 1,758 yards (5.2 average) and 13 touchdowns. He caught 50 passes for 447 yards and 3 touchdowns with Utah Tech.
He signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2025, where he played in 2 preseason games and rushed 7 times for 28 yards and a touchdown.
DL Chidozie Nwankwo – Colorado (5’11, 290lbs)
Chidozie Nwankwo played for the University of Houston from 2020 to 2023, where he played in 41 games with 31 starts. He recorded 95 total tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, and 5 sacks with Houston.
He played his final season for Colorado, where he played in 11 games with 10 starts in 2024, recording 32 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a force fumble, and a fumble recovery. He was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention at defensive tackle in 2024.