The Edmonton Elks have signed Canadian linebacker Josiah Schakel and Canadian fullback Mario Villamizar.
Schakel was selected in the second-round of the 2022 CFL Draft out of the University of Alberta by the Calgary Stampeders. He played seven games as a rookie and recorded one tackle. He was released by the Stamps after training camp and remained a free agent through the first three weeks of the CFL regular season.
The six-foot-one, 223-pound defender won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2021, which is awarded annually to the top defensive player in U Sports football.
Villamizar was selected in the sixth round of the 2019 CFL Draft by the B.C. Lions and played 40 games for the club over three seasons. The native of St. Catharines, Ont. attended Wilfrid Laurier University where he won the Yates Cup in 2016 and was named a second-team OUA all-star in 2018.
The Elks (0-3) will visit the Ottawa Redblacks (0-2) on Friday, June 30 with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. EDT. Second-year quarterback Tyrie Adams will make his first career start with Jeremiah Masoli still out due to a leg injury he suffered last summer.
