The Montreal Alouettes signed wide receivers Arkell Smith and Cortez Braham Jr., and defensive lineman Bryce Ganious to the practice squad on Sunday, according to the CFL Transactions page.
Arkell Smith is six foot one and weighs 194 pounds. The 26-year-old from Carthage, Missouri, re-signed with the Elks on October 28, 2024. In 2025, he made 37 catches for 402 yards, one touchdown, and 23 kick returns for 518 yards in 17 games. He became a free agent after the season.
The Edmonton Elks signed Smith on April 2, 2024. Edmonton released him on May 17, 2024. He re-signed with the Elks on June 2, 2024. In 2024, Smith made 13 catches for 148 yards and one touchdown in five games. The Elks released him on October 26, 2024.
Collegiately, Smith played six seasons at Central Missouri (2018-23) with 196 catches (14.4 AVG) for 2,816 yards (68.7 AVG), 34 touchdowns, nine carries for 65 yards, one kick return for 20 yards, and three tackles (3 solo) in 41 games for the Mules. He was named an All-MIAA Honorable Mention in 2021 and Second Team All-MIAA in 2022.
In 2023, Smith made 98 catches for 1,425 yards, 18 touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 13 games for the Central Missouri Mules on his way to being named First Team All-MIAA and First Team Division II All-American by the Associated Press. Smith finished his collegiate career ranked second in receiving yards (2,816) while setting the school record for receiving touchdowns (34) and receptions (196).
Cortez Braham Jr. is six foot two and weighs 203 pounds. The 26-year-old from Baltimore, Maryland, signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2026. In 2026, he played in three preseason games with no stats. The Ravens released him on August 30, 2026.
Collegiately, Braham Jr. spent three seasons at Hutchinson Community College (2019-21) with 68 catches for 1,387 yards and 17 touchdowns in 26 games for the Blue Dragons. He helped the Blue Dragons win the Salt City Bowl Championship in 2021. Next, he transferred to West Virginia (2022-23) with 17 catches for 164 yards in 15 games for the Mountaineers.
Then, he went to the University of Nevada in 2024, where he was named an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention after finishing the season with 56 catches for 724 yards, four touchdowns, and one carry for one yard in 13 games for the Wolf Pack. Braham Jr. concluded his collegiate career at the University of Memphis in 2025 with seven catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns in three games for the Tigers.
Bryce Ganious is six foot one and weighs 300 pounds. The 23-year-old from Houston, Texas, signed with the Montreal Alouettes on January 21, 2026. In 2026, he played in one preseason game. The Alouettes released him on May 30, 2026.
The New England Patriots signed Ganious as an undrafted free agent on August 5, 2025. In 2025, Ganious played in one preseason game against the Washington Commanders. The Patriots released him on August 11, 2025.
Collegiately, Ganious spent two seasons at Villanova (2021-22) with 58 tackles (26 solos, 32 assists), 10 tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 24 games for the Wildcats. In his final season at Villanova, he made 36 tackles (17 solos, 19 assists), 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 11 games.
Then, he transferred to Wake Forest (2023-24) with 54 tackles (15 solos, 39 assists), 7.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks in 22 games for the Demon Deacons. In his final collegiate season, Ganious made 26 tackles (5 solos, 21 assists), five tackles for loss, and three sacks in 10 games.
Ganious attended Second Baptist High School, where he earned four varsity letters in both football and track & field. He was named a Six-Time All-State honoree, including three times as a defensive lineman and three times on the second team as an offensive lineman. In his junior season, he was named the district Defensive Player of the Year.
