Alouettes' Swiss Army knife Régis Cibasu hopes to carve up Roughriders

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By the time Régis Cibasu left Université de Montréal, he was the Carabins’ all-time leading receiver. He had already been named the conference’s outstanding rookie in 2014 and was the Vanier Cup’s most valuable player that same season.

Cibasu was one of two CIS players invited to the 2018 East-West Shrine game for NCAA draft-eligible prospects, and there were reportedly six to eight NFL teams that had him on their radar, although only Washington sent a representative to his pro day workout in Lachine.

While the NFL didn’t factor into his future after a rookie mini-camp invitation from the Chicago Bears, and although he was drafted by Toronto in the third round (20th overall) in 2018, Cibasu has been nothing more than a supporting actor in the CFL, scratching and clawing for playing time.

“I’m still proud,” Cibasu, who has been with the Alouettes since 2021, told The Gazette this week after a practice at Stade Hébert. “Obviously, we always want to be in the top discussion, be a star. But it’s the pro level. Everybody’s good here. I’m actually blessed to be part of this beautiful team. I think we have a shot to win this year.

“It depends what you want in life. Do you still want to play football professionally? You have to make sacrifices. It is hard because you still want to compete. Sometimes you’re on the sidelines, but it’s always for the good of the team. Here, we have a good team, a good culture. I’ll do whatever they ask me to do to be on this team. When they need me to be ready, I’ll be ready. You don’t win by yourself. You win with a team.”

With Tyson Philpot (knee) missing a third consecutive game Saturday night when the Als host the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Cibasu has been receiving plenty of playing time. In last Thursday’s comeback victory at Calgary, the 31-year-old caught two passes for 41 yards. That included a 25-yard reception in the second quarter, one play before McLeod Bethel-Thompson’s touchdown to Cole Spieker.

Cibasu has been called the Als’ Swiss Army knife because of the many other positions he has played, including tight end, fullback and kickoff returner.

“It’s great to see what he’s doing for us,” said Als receivers coach Mike Lionello. “He’s a big body that’s athletic. The way he can move at his size is amazing. Physically, he’s so long he can dominate people just with his body. And his effort is relentless. I’m very happy with him.”

Lionello had Cibasu under his wing with the Argonauts as a rookie in 2019 and said the learning curve that season was steep. “But nobody works harder than him. I can’t wait to watch him play on Saturday. Kick some ass out there.”

Als general manager Danny Maciocia, a former Carabins head coach, recruited Cibasu from CEGEP Édouard-Montpetit and knows the 6-foot-3, 227-pounder as well as anyone. While Maciocia has always been bullish on Cibasu, he said some players fall into a trap that slows their pro development.

“He’s a hybrid kind of player,” Maciocia said. “That makes it difficult at times to identify where he’s best suited to play. But he’s a talented player who catches the ball well and has good vision getting upfield.”

Cibasu reported to training camp in May about 25 pounds lighter than the previous season after running and playing basketball during the winter. He wanted to lose weight to be faster on special teams — long his primary responsibility — and to get off his blocks quicker. He also believes the lighter weight will place less pressure on his knees and hips. Cibasu was plagued by a hand injury last season, limiting him to six games.

“I had the dream of a young guy that wanted to play in the NFL, obviously,” said Cibasu, who was born in Kinshasa, Zaire, but moved with his family to Montreal at age 3. “That’s the big dream of every football player in college. But the CFL is a great spot and it’s a great opportunity. You still get to play with fantastic athletes. I’m thankful to be here.

“I feel great. I feel healthy.”

In 77 games, Cibasu has caught only 12 passes for 151 yards. His one, and only, touchdown came in 2023 against Hamilton on a 37-yard pass, and his celebration was animated. Head coach Jason Maas told Cibasu to temper his emotions and make it look as though he had been in the end zone before.

“But, coach, I haven’t,” Cibasu quipped.

“I was a little excited and got carried away. I have to stay professional.”