Former Warrior joins Montreal Alouettes

Jalen Rogers’ football career is going north.

The former University of Hawaii defensive back has joined the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

Rogers signed a standard 1-and-1 contract: a one-year deal with an option for a second year. Terms were not announced, but according to the CFL’s collective bargaining agreement, the minimum salary is $53,000. (The average CFL salary is $80,000.)

Agent Jason House said CFL teams expressed interest in Rogers, with discussions amplifying following the NFL Draft. Rogers had two CFL workouts, most recently with the Saskatchewan Roughriders a week ago in Oakland. But Rogers said he followed the recommendation of UH defensive backs coach Abraham Elimimian, who has contacts with the Alouettes.

“I want to give credit to Coach Abe,” Rogers said. “I listened to him, and his advice was to come here.”

Rogers is 6 feet 1 and 193 pounds. At UH’s pro day in March, scouts credited Rogers with a 40-yard time of 4.58 seconds. One scout timed Rogers at 4.40 seconds. He also had a vertical jump of 34 1⁄2 inches and broad jump of 10 feet.

“He’s earned it,” Elimimian said. “He played hard for us last year. I think that he’s a great defensive back and he’ll do well.”

Elimimian said Rogers has the skills to play in the CFL’s game, which employs a wider field, 12 players per side and receivers who can take running starts before the snap. Rogers, who was primarily a cornerback in 2016, also has played free safety, nickelback and dimeback for the Rainbow Warriors.

“Man is man,” Rogers said of his 1-on-1 coverage skills. “That’s what I do.”

Rogers arrived in Montreal on Sunday night. During Monday’s practice, he was used as nickel-linebacker, safety and corner. He said nickel-linebacker is the most complex, which is why he opted to play that first. “If I learn that (position), I can do them all,” he said.

Elimimian praised Rogers’ versatility, noting, “one of his best attributes is his ability to cover. He takes the ball away. You look at his stats last year: four interceptions. He was a lock-down corner for us. He was one of the reasons we went to a bowl game last year.”

Elimimian said Rogers needs to “get acclimated to the system up there. … There are a lot more guys moving in space. He’s got to be a good teammate. If he does those things, he should be all right. He has to work hard and hope for the best.”

Rogers is the latest member of the 2016 Warriors to receive a pro-football opportunity. Wideout Marcus Kemp signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, kicker/punter Rigo Sanchez with the Indianapolis Colts, offensive lineman Leo Koloamatangi with the Detroit Lions and linebacker Jerrol Garcia-Williams with the Denver Broncos. Dejaun Butler has been invited to the New Orleans Saints’ training camp in July.