NORMAL, Ill. - Former Illinois State center Jonathan St-Pierre decided to forgo his chances in the NFL and signed a three-year contract, which includes an option for a fourth year, with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League Friday.
The financial details of the agreement were not released, but St-Pierre's agent, Mark Maren, indicated that the deal was the "highest Canadian rookie contract in the last 10 years in the CFL, if not ever."
St-Pierre was originally drafted in the second round of the 2008 CFL Canadian Draft, as the 10th pick overall. The Longueuil, Quebec native started all 11 games at center for the ISU offense during the 2008 season, which averaged 369.4 yards of total offense per game and 197.2 rushing yards per game. He didn't allow a quarterback sack all season and posted a team-best 108 knockdowns.
Saskatchewan's head coach Ken Miller is pleased with the addition.
"When we drafted this young man we felt he was well worth waiting on," Miller said. "Now, we're excited to have him on our team and feel in time, he will develop into a very good lineman in our league. Jonathan has many assets and among those, his intelligence and tenacity will certainly serve him well as a professional."
St-Pierre played three seasons at Illinois State after transferring from Miami (Fla.) prior to the 2006 season. He will join former ISU linebacker Kye Stewart on the Roughrider roster and will be the fifth Redbird to be playing in the CFL, joining Kevin Glenn (Hamilton), Brandon Joyce (Toronto) and Cameron Siskowic (Hamilton).
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