Coaching Staff

Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs – Noel Thorpe

Noel Thorpe is entering his 18th season as a coach in the CFL and his 9th season as a defensive coordinator, having held coaching positions with both the Ottawa Redblacks and the Montreal Alouettes. He’s appeared in 5 Grey Cups in his CFL career (4 with Montreal and 1 with Ottawa). Before his time with the CFL, Thorpe coached USports level football at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and the University of Montreal.

Defensive Line – Demetrious Maxie

Demetrious Maxie enters his 3rd season as the defensive line coach in Edmonton after spending 2016 and 2017 as the team’s linebackers coach. He had a 13-year CFL career as a defensive lineman for the Baltimore Stallions, Montreal Alouettes, Toronto Argonauts, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Calgary Stampeders. Additionally, he is a two-time CFL All-Star (1999, 2000) and was a member of 3 consecutive Grey Cup championship teams (1995-97). He retired with 291 tackles and 70 quarterback sacks in 167 career games. Maxie won a 4th Grey Cup championship (2008) with Calgary as the assistant director of player personnel. He’d transition into coaching defensive line and linebackers at the University of Texas-El Paso in 2010 and 2011. From 2012 through 2015, Maxie held the positions of defensive line coach and strength/conditioning coach at Desert Ridge High School in Mesa, Arizona. In 2013, he was a guest coach at B.C. Lions training camp but returned to Edmonton the following season as a Southwest Regional Scout. He spent 2014 as the defensive line coach and assistant special teams coordinator at Missouri Valley College.

Linebackers – Cam Robinson

Cam Robinson has been coaching the defensive side of the ball for several years. He was most recently the defensive coordinator for Fort Scott Community College in 2020 before getting hired as the linebackers coach in Edmonton for the 2021 season. Robinson has experience in the CFL, spending 3 seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as a linebackers coach and a quality control coach. Before becoming a coach, Robinson was an All-conference linebacker at Middle Tennessee State.

Special Teams Coordinator – Chris Rippon

Chris Rippon brings 37 years of college coaching experience with involvement in all 3 phases of the game to Edmonton. His resume includes positions at the University of Mississippi, Marshall University, Rutgers University, and Syracuse University. The 2021 season will be Rippon’s first year coaching in the CFL.

Defensive Assistant/Special Teams Assistant – Derek Oswalt

Derek Oswalt is in his 2nd season with Edmonton. He was a member of the 2016 Grey Cup champion Ottawa Redblacks as their linebackers coach and a member of their 2015 team who participated in the 103rd Grey Cup vs. Edmonton.

Defense

Defensive Line:

Mat Boesen – Boesen’s college career began at Boise State University, where he spent his first year as a redshirt freshman. He appeared in 8 games the following year, totaling 11 tackles and 3 sacks. He’d transfer to Long Beach City College in 2015, where his 57 tackles and 8 sacks earned him league honors as Co-Defensive Player of the Year. After only 1 season with Long Beach City, Boesen transferred to TCU. In two seasons with TCU, Boesen totaled 50 individual tackles (20 for loss) and 15 sacks. His 40 tackles and 11 sacks as a senior earned him a 2017 All-Big 12 first-team selection. In 2018, Beosen attended training camp with the Buffalo Bill’s but was waived as part of their final roster cuts. He was signed by the B.C. Lions in March of 2019 and earned a starting defensive end role, but suffered a significant knee injury in week 5 vs. Edmonton. Boesen signed with the Elks in March of 2021.

Misionia Aiolupotea-pei – Aiolupotea-pei is originally from New Zealand, where he played rugby, moving to Gold Coast in 2013. He played football for the Gridiron Queensland Stingrays Colts and scored 19 touchdowns. He was named the team’s MVP, offensive player of the year, and defensive player of the year also received an invite to the Down Under Bowl, where he was named the tournament’s hardest hitter and nicknamed “The Missile” by former Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins. He moved to the US in 2016 and attended Riverside City College in California. He played 2 seasons with the team, and In 12 games, he made 41 tackles (8 for loss) and 5.5 sacks. He’d transfer to Washington State and appeared in 25 games (6 as a starter), recording 29 tackles (4.5 for loss) and 3.5 sacks. Aiolupotea-pei was selected by Edmonton in the 2nd round of the 2021 CFL Global Draft (17th overall).

Andrew Ankrah – Ankrah played college ball at James Madison University in Virginia from 2013 to 2017 and was one of the nation’s top defenders in his senior season. He won the FCS Athletics Directors Association Defensive Player of the Year award and was 2nd runner-up for the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award. Ankrah was a 2017 Consensus First Team All-American and finished his career with 177 total tackles (36.0 for loss), 26.0 sacks, 8 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. He still ranks 5th all-time at JMU in career sacks. Ankrah has prior professional experience in the XFL, NFL, and Alliance of American Football. He most recently played for the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks in 2020 but was previously a member of the Washington Football Teams’ training camp roster in 2019 and started for the AAF’s Orlando Apollos in the leagues’ lone season. He signed with the Edmonton Elks in March of 2021.

Mathieu Betts – Betts is a two-time Vanier Cup champion with Laval University in Quebec and became the 1st player to claim the J.P. Metras Trophy as Canadian university football’s best lineman for 3 consecutive seasons (2016-18). Betts is the first player to win four major U Sports awards during his career, including Rookie of the Year (2015) and Male Athlete of the Year (2018). He spent time with the Chicago Bears in 2019 but was waived as part of the team’s final roster cuts. He’d formally sign with Edmonton in September of 2019, after being selected by the Elks in the 1st round of the 2019 CFL Draft (3rd overall). Betts played in 6 total games and recorded 1 defensive tackle, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in his rookie season.

Jake Ceresna – Ceresna attended Cortland University from 2013 to 2015, where he appeared in 33 games and recorded 142 tackles, 39.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. After going undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft, Ceresna signed with the New York Jets for training camp but would be released during the teams’ final roster cuts. His CFL career began with the Ottawa Redblacks, where in 2 seasons, he appeared in 32 games and recorded 50 tackles, 10 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. Ceresna signed with Edmonton in November of 2019.

Shawn Lemon – Lemon played college football at the University of Akron and was an All-Mid-American Conference selection as a senior, leading his team with 7 sacks and 4 fumble recoveries. He ended his college career with 102 tackles (23 for loss), 11 sacks, 5 fumble recoveries, and 6 forced fumbles. He’d spend some time in 2011 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders, but after one game with Saskatchewan, he was released and moved on to the AFL’s Cleveland Gladiators that October. Following various stints in the AFL with the Cleveland Gladiators, San Jose Sabercats, Orlando Predators, and the Sioux Falls Storm of Indoor Football League, He was signed as a free agent by Edmonton in June of 2012 and appeared in 12 games with 15 tackles, 6 sacks and 1 forced fumble. He spent the following 2 seasons with Calgary before being released and signing with Ottawa in 2015. Over the next few seasons, he’d have stints with Saskatchewan (again), Toronto (twice), B.C., and finally landing back with Edmonton for the 2021 season after signing a 1-year deal.

Mike Moore – Moore attended the University of Virginia, where in 4 seasons, he totaled 108 tackles (24 for loss), 11 sacks, 5 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries. He signed with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2016 and played 8 games for the team, recording 10 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. Moore signed with Edmonton in May of 2019 and spent the following 3 seasons with the team. In 37 games played for the Elks, he has 50 tackles, 15 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. He signed a contract extension with Edmonton in December of 2020.

Kwaku Boateng – Boateng attended Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, and is currently the school’s all-time sack leader. He was drafted by the Elks in round 5 of the 2017 CFL Draft (41st overall) and was named Edmonton’s Rookie of the Year. He’s played 3 seasons in Edmonton, and In 52 CFL games, he’s recorded 21 sacks and 1 forced fumble.

Nate Anderson – Anderson played college ball at the University of Missouri in 2017 and 2018. In 25 games, he accumulated 33 total tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. He was originally drafted in the 2nd round of the 2019 CFL Draft by the Montreal Alouettes and appeared in 8 games. Anderson signed with Edmonton in January of 2021.

Tevaughn Grant – Grant attended Wagner College, where in 37 career games, he accumulated 100 total tackles (18.5 for loss), 10.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. He was signed by Edmonton in December of 2020.

Justin Cates – Cates attended North Carolina A&T from 2015 through 2019 and ended his career as one of the most decorated defensive linemen in school history. He played in 44 games (26 starts) and recorded 100 tackles (27.5 for loss) and 13 sacks in his career, and earned two-time All-MEAC first-team selection. He signed with Edmonton in January of 2021.

Thomas Costigan – Costigan attended Bryant University in Rhode Island from 2015 to 2019. In 44 games, he recorded 285 total tackles, 26 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 3 interceptions. He spent time with the NFL’s LA Chargers in 2019 and signed with Edmonton in February of 2020.

Tibo Debaillie – Debaillie was born in Gistel, Belgium but played College football at Towson University in Maryland. During the 2018 and 2019 seasons, he appeared in 11 games and recorded 22 total tackles and 0.5 sacks. Debaille impressed at the CFL Global combine, putting up 31 bench press reps, and was selected 20th overall in the 2021 CFL Global Draft by Edmonton.

Chei Hill – Hill began his college career at the University of Central Oklahoma and would transfer to Jones College in 2019, where he recorded 50 total tackles and 4 sacks in 10 games. He was signed by Edmonton in June of 2021.

Reggie Howard – Howard played the 2017 and 2018 seasons at the University of Toledo. He played in all 14 games as a reserve defensive tackle in his first season, registering 18 tackles (5 for loss). During the 2018 season, Howard found more playing time and recorded 68 total tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Howard spent time with the LA Chargers in 2019 and played for the XFL’s Los Angeles Wildcats in 2020. He was signed by the Edmonton Elks in March of 2021.

Cole Nelson – Nelson attended the University of Alberta, where he played 6 in games during 2019, recording 8 tackles. In 2018, he played in 5 games tallying 8.5 tackles and 1 sack. The Elks drafted Nelson in the 1st round of the 2021 CFL Draft (5th overall).

Alain Pae – Pae is originally from the Czech Republic but attended the University of Ottawa in 2017, where he played in 8 games and recorded 25.5 tackles and 6 sacks. He was named to the OUA Conference All-Rookie Team. Pae was drafted by Edmonton in the 2nd round of the 2020 CFL Draft (13th overall).

Christian Rector – Rector attended the University of Southern California from 2016 to 2019 and was named a team captain in his final season. In his collegiate career, he recorded 107 tackles (22.5 for loss), with 13 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception. He signed with Edmonton in January of 2021.

Linebackers:

Nyles Morgan – Morgan played college football at the University of Notre Dame from 2014 to 2017. In 44 career games with the Irish, he accumulated 243 total tackles (16.5 for loss), 6 sacks, 4 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. Morgan had brief stints with the NFL’s Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, and AAF’s Arizona Hotshots before signing with the XFL’s Seattle Dragons for the 2020 season. In the 5 XFL games, before play was suspended due to the covid-19 pandemic, Morgan accumulated 16 total tackles (2 for loss), 1 quarterback hurry, and 0.5 sacks for the Dragons. He recently played with The Spring Leagues’ Jousters before signing with the CFL’s Edmonton Elks earlier in 2021.

Brandon Pittman – Pittman attended North Carolina State from 2011 to 2014, where he appeared in 30 games. He recorded 139 tackles, 7 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. Pittman played in The Spring Leagues’ 2018 spring showcase and not long after would sign with Edmonton in the CFL. He played 1 season with the Elks, where he appeared in 2 games, recording 5 total tackles. He’d re-sign with Edmonton in December of 2019 and signed a contract extension in December of 2020.

Ethan Aguayo – Aguayo attended San José State University from 2015 to 2019 and was redshirted his freshman season. He’d start the next 4 seasons for the Spartans and made the switch from safety to linebacker in 2017. In 42 total games, he’d accumulate 345 total tackles (15 for loss), 5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions, and 9 pass deflections. Most recently, Aguayo attended HUB football around April of 2021 before signing with the Elks.

Keishawn Bierria – Bierria attended the University of Washington from 2014 to 2017. In his college career, he accumulated 242 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles. Bierria was drafted by the NFL’s Denver Broncos in the 6th round of the 2018 NFL Draft (217th overall) and spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona Cardinals. He signed with the Elks in late February of 2021.

Maxime Rouyer – Rouyer attended McGill University from 2015 to 2018 and appeared in 23 games, recording 103 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. He was selected 4th overall in the CFL’s first-ever European Draft by Edmonton in 2019. In 17 games, he recorded 3 special teams tackles. In the East Semi-Final, Rouyer recorded 1 special team’s tackle and dressed for the East Final. His contract was extended in December of 2020.

Kevin Brown II – Brown played college football at the University of Cincinnati from 2012 to 2015. In 34 games, he accumulated 50 total tackles (2 for loss), 1 sack, and 7 pass deflections. He’d sign with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2017 and spent 3 seasons with the team. He’d play in 42 games for Ottawa and rack up 149 total tackles, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble.

Malik Clements – Clements attended Cincinnati from 2015 to 2018, where he appeared in 44 games, recording 187 total tackles, 2 quarterback sacks, 1 interception for a touchdown, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.
He’d spend 2019 on Edmonton’s suspended list and officially signed with the team in January of 2020.

Vonte Diggs – Diggs attended Connecticut from 2014 to 2017, appearing in 36 games and recording 183 total tackles, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 quarterback sack. In 2018, he spent time with the NFL’s Washington Football Team before signing with Edmonton in May of 2019. He received a contract extension in December of 2020.

Antonio Jones-Davis – Jones-Davis attended Northern Illinois University from 2015 through 2019, accumulating 234 total tackles, 1 interception, and 9 pass deflections in 41 career games.

Grant McDonald – McDonald played 14 games over the 2018 and 2019 seasons with the University of Calgary. He recorded 83 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble. McDonald was selected in the 2nd round of the 2021 CFL Draft by the Edmonton Elks (14th overall).

Malik Tyne – Tyne attended Towson University in Maryland from 2015 to 2019. In 43 games, he recorded 75 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. He was selected in the 3rd round of the 2020 CFL Draft (24th overall) by Edmonton.

Defensive Backs:

Jordan Hoover – Hoover spent 4 seasons at the University of Waterloo and turned heads at the Ontario Region Combine, where he ran a 4.03-second shuttle (4th fastest among defensive backs). He was selected by Edmonton in the 4th round of the 2017 CFL Draft and has played all 3 seasons with the team. In 53 total professional games, he accumulated 83 total tackles, 1 sack, and 2 interceptions.

Aaron Grymes – Grymes played college football at the University of Idaho from 2009 to 2012. He appeared in 50 games for the team (32 as a starter) and finished his college career with 172 solo total tackles (10 for a loss), 3 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. Grymes signed with Edmonton in May of 2013 and went on to win the 103rd Grey Cup over the Ottawa Redblacks. He’d have a brief stint with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles in 2016 but returned to the Elks in 2017, where he’d play for 2 more seasons. Grymes signed with the B.C. Lions for the 2019 season, but would once again return to the Elks for the 2021 season. In 82 career CFL games, he accumulated 253 total tackles, 1 sack, 12 interceptions, 2 touchdowns, and 2 forced fumbles.

Jonathon Mincy – Mincy attended Auburn University from 2010 to 2014. In 52 games, he recorded 212 total tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 30 pass deflections,1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. Mincy was a member of the 2010 National Championship team as a redshirt freshman. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons following the 2015 NFL Draft but was waived on August 31, 2015. In June of 2016, he was signed to the Montreal Alouettes practice roster; he worked his way up to the active roster and finished his rookie year with 54 tackles, 1 interception, and 2 forced fumbles. He spent the 2018 NFL season on the practice squad of the Chicago Bears before signing to the Toronto Argonauts practice roster in 2019. Mincy signed with Edmonton in February of 2020 and had his contract extended in December of 2020.

Brian Walker – Walker attended the University of North Carolina from 2013 to 2015. He appeared in 28 games and recorded 71 total tackles, 4 interceptions (1 returned for a touchdown), 16 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble. He transferred to Fayetteville State for the 2016 season, where he appeared in 9 games, recording 25 total tackles, 9 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and also returned 11 kickoffs for 373 yards and 2 touchdowns. Walker signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the CFL’s 2017 season and signed with Edmonton for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. In 29 games played, 73 total tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble. His contract was extended in January of 2020.

Robert Priester – Priester attended the University of Wyoming from 2014 to 2017. He appeared in 36 games and recorded 139 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. He was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2018, and in 2 games, recorded 7 tackles. He’d spend 2019 on Edmonton’s practice roster and signed with the XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers in 2020. In 5 games with the Vipers, Priester recorded 9 total tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception. He returns to the Elks for the CFL’s 2021 season.

Oludotun Aketepe – Aketepe attended the University of Guelph from 2016 to 2019. He appeared in 26 games and recorded 87.5 total tackles, 2 quarterback sacks, and 8 interceptions, including 1 for a touchdown. He was named a Second-Team OUA All-Star in 2019. He was drafted by Edmonton in the 4th round of the 2020 CFL Draft (31st overall) and formally signed with the team in February of 2021.

Jordan Beaulieu – Beaulieu attended Western University from 2014 to 2017. He appeared in 24 games, recording 48 total tackles, 2 sacks, 5 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. He was named OUA All-Rookie in 2014. Beaulieu was selected by Edmonton in the 3rd round of the 2018 CFL Draft (24th overall) and has played the previous 2 seasons with the Elks, accumulating 12 total tackles in 30 game appearances.

Eric Blake – Blake attended McMaster University from 2015 to 2019. He appeared in 36 games, recording 83.5 total tackles, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery. He was selected by Edmonton in the 8th round of the 2019 CFL Draft (68th overall) and officially signed in Jan of 2020 after finishing the 2019 CFL season on the team’s suspended list.

Jermaine Gabriel – Gabriel attended Bishop’s University for 2 seasons, accumulating 71 defensive tackles, 3 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble. He was selected in the 2nd round of the 2013 CFL Draft (17th overall) by the Toronto Argonauts, where he has spent his entire career until signing with the Elks in February of 2020. In 95 games with Toronto, he accumulated 276 tackles, 7 sacks, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown, and 4 forced fumbles.

Jonathan Rose – Rose played college football at the University of Nebraska from 2013 to 2015. In 9 games, he accumulated 42 total tackles (1 for loss), 1 interception, and 8 pass deflections. He signed with the Ottawa Redblacks following the 2016 NFL Draft, where he’s played his entire CFL career so far. In 52 games, he racked up 166 total tackles, 1 sack, 9 interceptions, 2 touchdowns, and 6 forced fumbles. He signed with Edmonton in early January of 2021.

Caleb Ham – Ham attended Fordham University from 2014 to 2017. He appeared in 44 games, recording 186 total tackles, 7 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble. Ham signed with Toronto in January of 2018 but only appeared in 3 games for the Argos, racking up 7 tackles. He signed with Edmonton n February of 2020.

Scott Hutter – Hutter attended Wilfrid Laurier University from 2015 to 2018 and appeared in 30 games. He recorded 135.5 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, 13 pass deflections, and 11 interceptions. In 2018, he was named an OUA Second-Team All-Star. Hutter was selected in the 6th round of the 2019 CFL Draft (50th overall) by Edmonton, and in 8 appearances, he’d record 11 tackles on special teams. He signed a contract extension in late Dec of 2020.

Afolabi Laguda – Laguda attended the University of Colorado from 2015 to 2017. In 39 total games, he recorded 151 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. He spent some time with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons in 2019 and was signed by the Elks in December of 2019.

Nafees Lyon – Lyon attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte from 2015 to 2020. After redshirting his freshman year and missing the 2017 season due to injury, he’d finish his college career with 137 total tackles (3 for loss), 1 interception, 13 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. He signed with Edmonton in January of 2021.

TJ Mutcherson – Mutcherson attended the University of Central Florida in 2015 and 2016. He recorded 73 total tackles, 1 sack, and 2 interceptions in his time at the school. He’d spend time with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks in 2018 and 2019 before signing with Edmonton in February of 2021.

Nick Pickett – Pickett attended the University of Oregon from 2017 to 2019. In 45 total games at Oregon, he racked up 160 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 14 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble. He spent time earlier in 2021 at the Detroit Lions minicamp but signed with the Edmonton Elks in June.

Albert Smalls – Smalls attended Northern Illinois University from 2014 to 2018. In 45 games, he recorded 112 total tackles, 20 pass deflections, and 4 interceptions. He had brief stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders before signing with Edmonton in February of 2020.

Trumaine Washington – Washington attended the University of Louisville from 2014 to 2017. In 42 games, he recorded 141 total tackles, 10 interceptions, 4 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. He signed with the Toronto Argonauts for the 2018 and 2019 CFL seasons, and in 25 games, he accumulated 56 total tackles, 5 interceptions, 1 touchdown, and 1 forced fumble. Washington signed with Edmonton in late December of 2020.

Darius Williams – Williams attended Carson-Newman University from 2016 to 2018. In 41 career games, he racked up 179 total tackles (15 for loss), 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries, and 8 interceptions and was named a South Atlantic Conference All-American in 2017. He signed with Edmonton in January of 2021.

Kieron Williams – Williams attended the University of Nebraska from 2014 to 2017. He appeared in 51 games and recorded 104 total tackles, 5 interceptions, 7 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, and 3 punt blocks. In 2019 he spent time with the Arizona Hotshots of the short-lived Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019. He signed with Edmonton in February of 2020.

Special Teams

Kickers:

Sean Whyte – Whyte played college football at Santa Monica College and played Canadian Junior College Football for the Big Kahuna Rams in Langley, British Colombia. He was signed by the B.C. Lions as a territorial exemption in 2007 and spent that season and the next on the team’s practice squad. Whyte made his debut in 2009. He’d fill in for an injured Paul McCallum and led the team in scoring on the year with 90 points and 71 punts for a 41.5-yard average. Following the 2010 season, Whyte signed with the Montreal Alouettes, where he’d remain until the 2015 season. He’d sign with Edmonton in 2015 and has been with the team ever since. In his time with the Elks, he’s started nearly every game and at one point was voted the Elks Most Outstanding Canadian Nominee. He signed a contract extension with Edmonton in December of 2020.

Hugh O’Neill – O’Neill attended the University of Alberta, where in his senior season, he became the school’s all-time field goal leader scoring 55 converts. He was also named a Canada West All-star and was named to the CIS East-West Bowl. He was drafted in the second round of the 2011 CFL Draft (11th overall) by the B.C. Lions and spent the 2011 and 2012 seasons on the injured reserve list, a conventional way in the CFL to hide players from the salary cap while keeping the player protected from poaching by other teams. During the 2013 season, the team restructured the contract of Paul McCallum so that O’Neill and McCallum could share the role. McCallum suffered an injury that was serious enough to keep him out of week 1 of the regular season, so on June 28, 2013, O’Neill suited up for his first regular-season game. On August 16, 2013, entering Week 8 of the 2013 CFL season, the Lions released O’Neill due to a contract dispute. He was signed by Edmonton a few days later and appeared in 9 games, where he made 20/26 field goals and 61 punts for 2,710 yards. In 2015 he’d play for Hamilton but would only appear in 1 game, recording 2 punts for an average of 38.5 yards. He once again signed with Edmonton for the 2017 season, where he’d remain through the 2019 season. He received a contract extension in January of 2019.

Dante Brown – Brown attended Fort Hays State University from 2017 to 2019 and appeared in 35 games. He made 47-56 field goals (longest: 56-yards), 134 punts for 5,684 yards (42.4-yard average), and 91 kickoffs for 5,339 yards (58.7-yard average). Brown was named the Don Hansen Football Committee National Special Teams Player of the Year (2018, 2019), the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year (2018, 2019), and an All-American First-Team D2CCA (2018, 2019). He was selected in the 5th round of the 2020 CFL Draft (41st overall).

LongSnapper:

Chad Rempel – Rempel spent 5 years at the University of Saskatchewan (1999-2003) and was a Canada West All-Star in 2001 and 2002. He was drafted by Edmonton in the 5th round of the 2004 CFL Draft (35th overall) as a receiver but did not see any playing time. He joined the Blue Bombers in 2005 and dressed for 9 games. He’d relocate to Toronto in 2006 and played in 16 games over the next 2 years, catching five passes for 70 yards in 2007. Rempel spent 2008 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, catching three passes for 48 yards in 11 games. He returned to Toronto in 2009 and began working on extending his career as a long-snapper. In 2014, he had a short stint with the Chicago Bears and joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the final 6 games of the 2014 season. He’d sign with the Blue Bombers in 2015 and remain with the team through 2020. In June of 2021, Rempel signed with the Edmonton Elks.