Geoffrey Cantin-Arku (born October 9, 1998) is a Canadian professional football linebacker for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Syracuse and Memphis.
| No. 19 Montreal Alouettes | |
 Cantin-Arku with the Alouettes in 2024 | |
| Born: | October 9, 1998 Lévis, Quebec, Canada |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | Linebacker |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Weight | 240 lb (110 kg) |
| College | Syracuse, Memphis |
| CFL draft | 2024, Round: 1, Pick: 9 |
| Drafted by | Montreal Alouettes |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2024–present | Montreal Alouettes |
| Career stats | |
| |
Early life
editCantin-Arku was born in Lévis, Quebec.[1][2] He grew up first playing hockey but later switched to football.[3] After high school, he played three years of CEGEP football at Cégep Garneau in Quebec.[3][4] Cantin-Arku recorded 55.5 tackles, one sack and two interceptions his final season at Cégep Garneau. He was rated the no. 3 Canadian prospect in the class of 2019 by ESPN. He was also rated the no. 30 outside linebacker by Rivals.com, no. 42 outside linebacker by 247Sports.com, and no. 63 outside linebacker by ESPN.[3]
College career
editCantin-Arku first played college football at Syracuse from 2019 to 2021. He played in nine games his freshman year in 2019, mostly on special teams, and made one tackle. He appeared in all 11 games in 2020, starting 10, totaling 63 tackles, a team-leading 4.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Cantin-Arku played in 10 games during the 2021 season before entering the NCAA transfer portal in week 11. He accumulated 43 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble that season.[3]
Cantin-Arku transferred to play at Memphis from 2022 to 2023.[5][6] He appeared in all 13 games, starting 11, in 2022, recording 76 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two pass breakups. He started all 13 games in 2023, totaling 79 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception, two pass breakups, and one blocked field goal that he also returned for a touchdown. Cantin-Arku earned honorable mention All-AAC honors that season.[5]
Professional career
editAfter going undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft, Cantin-Arku was invited to rookie minicamp with the Miami Dolphins on a tryout basis.[7][8] He was selected by the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in the first round, with the ninth overall pick, of the 2024 CFL draft.[9] He officially signed with the Alouettes on May 13, 2024.[10] Cantin-Arku was named the 3DownNation breakout player of the week for week 4 of the 2024 CFL season after recording four tackles on defense, two sacks, and one pass knockdown.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Geoffrey Cantin-Arku". cfl.ca. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "Canadian linebacker Geoff Cantin-Arku preparing for 2024 NFL draft". northeastnow.com. January 10, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Geoff Cantin-Arku". cuse.com. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ ""I live football." Memphis' Geoffrey Cantin-Arku working hard to make a name for himself from Canada". jzmedia.ca. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ a b "Geoffrey Cantin-Arku". gotigersgo.com. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ Dylan, Jonah (August 23, 2023). "Football isn't the only language Memphis linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku speaks". commercialappeal.com. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "Former Tiger Goeffrey Cantin-Arku invited to Dolphins rookie mini camp". sports.yahoo.com. April 28, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ Zurkowsky, Herb (May 1, 2024). "Alouettes' top draft pick Geoffrey Cantin-Arku is full of confidence". montrealgazette.com. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ Zurkowsky, Herb (May 1, 2024). "Alouettes select LB Geoffrey Cantin-Arku 9th overall in CFL Canadian college draft". montrealgazette.com. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "Montreal Alouettes Transactions". footballdb.com. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 4". 3downnation.com. July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.