Former Owl Lockley to sign with CFL's Alouettes
By Chuck King
Former FAU linebacker Michael Lockley is about to return to organized football.
Lockley is scheduled to fly to Montreal today where he intends to sign with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL.
“I don't want to wait anymore (for an NFL offer),” Lockley said. “I had a guaranteed thing, so I'm going to go play for them.”
Lockley (photo, breaking up a pass) graduated from Florida Atlantic following the 2010 season. An undrafted free agent, Lockley signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, beginning the 2011 season on the practice squad before being promoted to the NFL squad. He played mostly on special teams before being released shortly before the end of the regular season.
With the Alouettes, Lockley expects to receive more game time on defense, providing a platform to showcase his skills to NFL scouts.
“You just get to a point where you want to go play,” Lockley said.
A couple of NFL teams had told Lockley's agent they were interested in bringing the 6-foot-1, 240-pound linebacker to their pre-season camp, but none had made an offer.
Lockley finally decided that playing was better than waiting.
“If I waited for NFL camp, I couldn't go play in Canada,” he said.
Lockley shouldn't have to wait long to get into a game.
Montreal's first pre-season is scheduled for June 14. The first regular season game is July 1 at Calgary.