The journey to a Grey Cup appearance often begins with a single phone call. For Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander, that call came from a respected high school coach in Washington state, setting in motion a career defined by an unyielding will to win.
From Undersized Prospect to CFL Starter
Gordy Elliott, a veteran coach at Auburn High School, placed a pivotal call to Portland State head coach Bruce Barnum. He insisted Barnum take a serious look at his quarterback, Davis Alexander. While the young player was physically undersized at 6 feet tall and appeared raw, Elliott's recommendation carried significant weight.
"When Gordy speaks about somebody, like he did Davis..." Barnum told The Gazette, recalling the conversation. Despite Alexander not looking the part of a classic quarterback prospect, it didn't take long for his true qualities to emerge.
After a redshirt freshman season, Alexander became the starter for Portland State in 2018. Over the next three seasons, the team managed only 14 wins in 35 games with Alexander under center, largely due to a struggling defence. Yet, his individual performance was stellar. He departed the program ranked second in school history in nearly every significant passing category, trailing only Neil Lomax, who later played in the NFL.
A Competitor Forged in College
Barnum, now in his 11th season at the Big Sky Conference school, quickly identified what made Alexander special. "It was his arm strength and accuracy," Barnum said. "Athletically, let me tell you, he has it; he just does. That kid is such a competitor, as we found out. He's so damned tough."
Alexander proved to be a dedicated student of the game, a trait that has continued into his professional career. His cocky and competitive nature was evident then, just as it is now on the CFL stage. His value to the college team grew so much that by the end of his tenure, he was helping Barnum prepare game plans for upcoming opponents.
"He's going to win at all costs," Barnum stated emphatically. "It doesn't matter. He's going to do it. That's how he approaches the game and life. He meant the world. He made coming to work easy."
Barnum shared a telling anecdote about Alexander's resilience: "I remember one game, I put his (injured) shoulder back in and threw his ass back out there. He always got up, like a rag doll."
The Alouettes' Discovery and Bet on Talent
With the 2020 CFL season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alouettes General Manager Danny Maciocia spent countless hours analyzing game film of college players. He eventually came across Davis Alexander. Maciocia has a personal scouting rule: he gives a prospect a minimum of 40 plays to make an impression.
Alexander far exceeded that benchmark. "Not only did I go beyond 40 plays, I constantly went back and rewatched them," Maciocia revealed. "That's how strongly I felt about his ability to play."
Maciocia was captivated by Alexander's ability to make plays with both his arm and his feet, even while playing on teams that often struggled. "You could tell he was a gamer and loved to compete," Maciocia said. "You knew he had the raw ability to possibly play at the next level."
Alexander, who began the 2024 season as third on the depth chart, finally got his opportunity after an injury to starter Cody Fajardo and when backup Caleb Evans failed to deliver. Alexander seized the moment, leading the team to a 4-0 record as a starter. His performance was so impressive that the Alouettes organization made a decisive move last winter, trading Fajardo to Edmonton and signing the 27-year-old Alexander to a three-year contract extension.
Transforming the Montreal Franchise
In just seven games this season, hampered by a recurring hamstring injury, Alexander's stats were remarkable. He passed for 2,024 yards and 10 touchdowns, completing 72.5 percent of his throws with only three interceptions. He also added 110 rushing yards and another touchdown on the ground.
Yet, his value to the Alouettes extends far beyond statistics. The team embodies a different identity when he plays—a transformation fueled by his swagger, spunk, toughness, and undeniable winning attitude.
Now, Alexander carries a 13-game unbeaten streak as a starter over two seasons into his first Grey Cup appearance. On Sunday, he will lead the Montreal Alouettes against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Winnipeg. The game kicks off at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on CTV, TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, and RDS.
Rapidly becoming the face of the franchise, Davis Alexander is a player with unbridled potential. It may not be long before he is seriously considered for the CFL's Most Outstanding Player award, cementing his status as a quarterback who truly wins at all costs.
