EDMONTON – Defensive lineman Shawn Oakman headlined a group of five players signed by the Edmonton Elks on Sunday.
The Elks also signed linebacker Derrick Moncrief, defensive lineman Noah Taylor, national wide receiver Zach Mathis, and global linebacker Les Maruo.
Oakman joined the Elks after being released by the Toronto Argonauts on June 11. The six-foot-nine lineman spent three seasons with Toronto (2021-23), where he won the 2022 Grey Cup, was named an East Division All-Star twice (2021, 2022), and was a CFL All-Star in his rookie season. In 45 career CFL games, the Philadelphia native recorded 90 defensive tackles, 18 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Moncrief returns to Edmonton for his second stint after spending the last two seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The veteran linebacker played nine games for the Elks in 2021, recording 24 total tackles and four sacks, and was named Edmonton’s Defensive Player of the Year. Moncrief, a one-time CFL All-Star (2019) and two-time West Division All-Star (2019, 2022), has played 75 regular season games with the Roughriders (2017-19, 2022-23) and the Elks (2021), amassing 248 defensive tackles, eight sacks, nine interceptions, and one forced fumble in his career.
Maruo spent the last three seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2021-23) after being drafted fourth overall in the 2021 Global Draft. The Yokkaichi, Japan native registered 44 total tackles and two sacks in 38 career games for the Blue Bombers.
Mathis was selected by the Elks in the supplemental draft held on June 29. Taylor started eight games for the University of North Carolina as a graduate student in 2022, totaling 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two pass breakups before suffering a season-ending right knee injury.
The Elks (0-4) released American linebacker Reynard Ellis and wide receiver Malik Flowers on Sunday, along with national defensive back Josh Hagerty.
Edmonton is on a bye week but returns to action next Sunday to host the Ottawa Redblacks (2-2).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 7, 2024.
