The Edmonton Elks have signed eight players they selected in the 2024 CFL Draft, including first overall pick Joel Dublanko.
The 26-year-old qualified for National status in the CFL after it was discovered that his father was born in Canada. He has spent the past two seasons in professional football after going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft as a member of the New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, and the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars.
The six-foot-two, 230-pound linebacker played five collegiate seasons at the University of Cincinnati, recording 233 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception over 64 games. He was named first-team All-American Athletic Conference during his final season and served as a team captain, helping the Bearcats reach the College Football Playoff semifinal round against the University of Alabama.
“We are excited to have a player of Joel’s calibre in our building,” said assistant general manager Geroy Simon in a statement. “High football IQ, leadership, a winner, and a high character individual is what we’re getting.”
The Elks have also signed second-round picks D.K. Bonhomme and Brad Hladik, third-round pick Olivier Muembi, fourth-round pick Jaxon Morkin, seventh-round picks Evan Anseeuw and Patrick Lavoie, and eighth-round pick Jacob Spencer.
Bonhomme was out of football last season and most recently played at the University of South Alabama in 2022 where he registered six tackles in three games. The six-foot-one, 225-pound linebacker previously played at Indiana University where he made 17 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack over 24 games with the Hoosiers.
Hladik made 12 receptions for 119 yards and one touchdown over 31 games at the University of British Columbia at fullback and tight end. The native of Vernon, B.C. is also a long snapper and the younger brother of Ben Hladik, the starting middle linebacker of the B.C. Lions.
Muembi made 50 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and one sack over 10 games at Queen’s University this past season. The six-foot, 226-pound linebacker from Hamilton, Ont. spent the first four seasons of his collegiate career at Delaware State University.
Morkin dressed for 28 games over the past four seasons at the University of Windsor, helping the Lancers win their first home playoff game in almost 50 years. The six-foot-three, 306-pound native of Tecumseh, Ont. projects as a CFL guard.
Anseeuw played 19 career games at York University at guard and tackle. The six-foot-three, 290-pound native of Walsingham, Ont. attended the 2023 East-West Bowl but didn’t participate in the 2024 CFL Invitational Combine.
Lavoie started 29 career games at Carleton University and was named the team’s Rookie of the Year in 2019. After initially starting his career at guard, the six-foot-four, 294-pound blocker spent the past three seasons at left tackle with the Ravens.
Spencer made 25 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks over 23 games at Saginaw Valley State University. He previously played at Grand Valley State University.
The Elks have also signed linebacker Eteva Mauga-Clements, who they selected with the first overall pick in the 2024 CFL Global Draft. The native of American Samoa played three collegiate seasons at the University of Nebraska and made two starts, recording 45 total tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, one pass knockdown, and one forced fumble.
Edmonton will open its 2024 regular season by hosting the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, June 8.
