The Edmonton Elks on Monday afternoon locked up eight players from their 2024 CFL Draft class, including linebacker and first overall pick Joel Dublanko.
Dublanko enjoyed a standout career with the NCAA Cincinnati Bearcats, where he recorded 233 total tackles, 22 tackles for a loss, and 7.5 quarterback sacks. He went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft but signed as an undrafted free-agent with the Seattle Seahawks. Dublanko led the team in special teams tackles during the pre-season but was released before the start of the regular season. He played in the USFL last season with the Philadelphia Stars.
The 26-year-old from Aberdeen, Washington, declared for the CFL Draft in early March after learning he counts as a Canadian because his father was born in New Westminster, B.C. His grandfather was born in Thorsby, Alta., and attended seminary school in Edmonton.
The rest of the 2024 Draft Class who signed with the Elks on Monday:
* Second round, 10th overall: South Alabama LB DK Bonhomme (Ottawa, Ont.)
* Second round, 18th overall: UBC FB/Long-Snapper Bradley Hladik
* Third round, 21st overall: Queens LB Olivier Muembi
* Fourth round, 30th overall: Windsor OL Jaxon Morkin
* Seventh round, 57th overall: York OL Evan Anseeuw
* Seventh round, 63rd overall: Carleton OL Patrick Lavoie
* Eighth round, 66th overall: Saginaw Valley State DL Jacob Spencer (Brantford, Ont.)
The Elks also came to terms with linebacker and their first overall pick in last week’s Global Draft, Eteva Mauga-Clements.
The Elks will begin rookie camp on May 8 with main camp starting on May 12. They will play their first pre-season game on May 25 at Commonwealth Stadium when they host the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
