With the 2025 CFL Draft just hours away, the Edmonton Elks will be adding an induction of future talent that will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, April 29th, 2025, at 6:00 pm EST. 

The Edmonton Elks will not pick in the first round, as they elected to forego their first-round pick on June 29th, 2024, when acquiring the rights of wide receiver Zach Mathis out of North Dakota State in a supplemental draft.  So, as it stands, the Edmonton Elks will have seven picks in the 2025 CFL Draft with the breakdown as follows:

Round 1, none.

Round 2, 10th overall.

Round 3, 22nd and 24th overall.

Round 4, 31st overall.

Round 5, 40th overall.

Round 6, 49th overall.

Round 7, 58th overall.

Round 8, none.

Without further ado, here are players the Edmonton Elks should consider in the 2025 CFL Draft.

Photo via the CFL

NOTE:  Both quarterbacks, Kurtis Rourke and Taylor Elgersma, are potential picks that will be selected earlier in the first or two rounds.  Moreover, Kurtis Rourke was claimed by the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL Draft, while Taylor Elgersma is currently attending mini-camps with both the Buffalo Bills and the Green Bay Packers.  The focus for this list of players that will be part of the Edmonton Elks sooner rather than later.     

Jaylen Smith, LB, North Texas

The Hamilton, Ontario-born player has played for the North Texas Mean Green as a linebacker who primarily played on special teams for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.  His strong play on special teams paid dividends, as he was promoted for the 2023 season, where Jaylen Smith appeared in 12 games with 4 starts.  It was the 2024 season when Jaylen Smith broke out with a combined 97 tackles.  He came up big with 10 tackles vs Tulane, 10 tackles vs Army, followed by a career-high with 16 tackles vs. East Carolina.  Jaylen Smith does have the tools and natural ability to grow in the CFL.  He will also be an impact player in special teams, along with being an option at both linebacker and safety.

Anton Haie, DB, University of Laval

Now and then, there is a special player who comes along who is truly amazing with his play on the field.  This is the case with Anton Haie.  With 26 games under his belt, Anton Haie was nothing but outstanding with 34 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 7 pass deflections, and 5 blocked field goals.  You heard that right.  Five blocked field goals.

Keanu Yazbeck, RB, University of Western Ontario

The Western Mustangs have a history of being a run-heavy team, with some impressive running backs.  Meet Keanu Yazbeck.  Since becoming a Mustang, he has gotten better every year, with 5 games played in 2021, for 94 rushing yards and one touchdown, to 8 games played in 2022 for 258 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Keanu Yazbeck would then continue this trend in 2023 with 7 games played with 409 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.  In the 2024 season, he would play 11 games, with 906 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns.  He would have a total of 31 games played, 1,667 rushing yards, and 14 touchdowns with an 8.8 average yards per carry.  

Gabriel Lessard, LB, University of Montreal

The linebacker out of the University of Montreal is another player on this list who played both special teams and on the defence.  He has an explosiveness in speed when attacking the line of scrimmage to stuff the run.  His special teams play is truly remarkable, with his vision for the field and his open-field tackles.  His athleticism will only grow as he is moulded into a polished player at the pro level.  

>Dre Doiron, OL, Kansas

London, Ontario–born player at played for the University of Buffalo Bulls for the 2020 season but was redshirted.  He would start at right tackle for 10 games and appeared in all 12 games for the UB Bulls for the 2021 season.  He was also a key part of the UB Bulls’ running game averaging 195 yards per game in the Mid-American Conference.  Dre Doiron would be redshirted once more in 2022 but did see action in 3 games for the Kansas Jayhawks.  He did not play in 2024, with the exception of a lone game vs. Lindenwood.  However, he did appear in 10 games and played the last eight games of the 2023 season.      

Kolade Amusan, DL, University of Windsor

With on

ly three seasons under his belt, Kolade Amusan sure made an impression playing for the Windsor Lancers.  His journey would begin for the 2022 season, where Kolade Amusan would play 5 games.  He would have 8 total tackles and 2 sacks.  He would have a breakout year in 2023, recording 10 games played, 27 total tackles, followed by an impressive 13 sacks.  Kolade Amusan’s 2024 stats in his final year with the Lancers would be 8 games played for 17 total tackles, and 9.5 sacks.  He completed his career at Windsor with 23 games played, 52 total tackles, and 25.5 sacks. 

Kolby Hurford, WR, University of Alberta

He will be projected to be selected in the later rounds.  With that said, Kolby Hurford could be a depth player for the future.  The potential is there, and more playing time will be needed.  But with 29 games under his belt with the Alberta Golden Bears, Kolby Hurford collected 74 receptions, for 1,254 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns.  His most impressive stat is his 16.9 yards per catch.

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