The Edmonton Elks have signed American defensive back Rashard Causey Jr., the team announced on Wednesday.
The University of Central Florida product went unselected in the 2019 NFL Draft but signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent. He was released by the team in training camp before later joining the practice roster of the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins. He was recently a member of the USFL’s Tampa Bay Bandits.
Causey played four seasons at UCF from 2015 to 2018, helping the Knights win 25 straight games over his final two seasons. He dressed for 13 games as a senior and made five starts, recording 48 total tackles, six pass breakups, two sacks, and tying for the team lead with three forced fumbles.
The Elks also signed American receiver CJ Sims and re-signed Global kicker Rafael Gaglianone.
Sims was named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Special Teams of Player of the Year this past season after averaging 26.2 yards on kickoff returns in his senior season at New Mexico Highlands University. As a junior in 2021, the Covington, La., native earned- the RMAC Offensive Player of the Year award after leading the NCAA Division II conference in both receiving yards (1,007) and touchdowns (10).
Gaglianone spent last season on Edmonton’s practice roster after being selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2022 CFL Global Draft. The native of Sao Paulo, Brazil played at the University of Wisconsin from 2014 to 2018 where he was named second-team All-Big Ten in 2017 and All-Big Ten honourable mention in 2018. He is tied for second all-time in the Big Ten with 426 points.
