The Edmonton Elks have signed three former first-round CFL draft picks, adding receiver Hergy Mayala and offensive linemen Shane Richards and Hunter Steward.
Mayala was taken with the eighth overall pick in the 2019 CFL Draft out of the University of Connecticut and had a strong rookie season with the Calgary Stampeders, making 38 catches for 562 yards and five touchdowns. He has since been a member of the Montreal Alouettes and Hamilton Tiger-Cats and has caught 107 passes for 1,373 yards and seven touchdowns over 59 regular season CFL games.
Richards was the first overall pick in the 2019 CFL Draft out of Oklahoma State University and dressed for 42 career games with the Toronto Argonauts, making 12 starts at guard and right tackle. He dressed for only four games this past season and wasn’t retained after becoming a free agent in February.
Steward has played 124 career CFL games as a member of the B.C. Lions and Ottawa Redblacks, making 99 starts. The 32-year-old native of Calgary, Alta. was taken with the sixth overall pick in the 2013 CFL Draft out of Liberty University.
Edmonton also announced that defensive lineman Chauncey Manac, who signing with the team earlier this off-season, has been moved to the retired list.
The Elks will open their 2024 regular season by hosting the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, June 8.
