Photo: UTSA Athletics
The Edmonton Elks have signed American receiver Joshua Cephus, the team announced on Friday.
The six-foot-two, 193-pound target had a productive six-year collegiate career at the University of Texas San Antonio. He made 313 receptions for 3,639 yards and 28 touchdowns, earning a first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection in 2023. The Houston native went on to have a stint on the practice roster with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024.
The Elks have also signed American running back ShunDerrick Powell, American receiver Julian Hicks, American offensive lineman Jason Laliberte Jr., American linebacker Jadon Pearson, American defensive back Terez Reid, and Canadian long snapper Orin Schellenberg.
Powell rushed for 2,359 yards and 20 touchdowns over 22 collegiate games at the University of Central Arkansas. The five-foot-nine, 180-pound ball-carrier previously played at the University of North Alabama, where he rushed for 1,421 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2022. He has since been a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.
Hicks made 72 receptions for 1,139 yards and 17 touchdowns over 23 collegiate games at the University of Albany. The six-foot-two, 200-pound target previously played at Akron and Central Michigan. He has since had stints with the Green Bay Packers and the Birmingham Stallions.
Laliberte Jr. played 41 games over five seasons at the University of St. Thomas. The six-foot-seven, 312-pound blocker was a second-team All-Pioneer Football League selection in 2025.
Pearson made 106 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three passes defended, one forced fumble, and 0.5 sacks over 13 games at Fresno State in 2025. The six-foot-one, 220-pound defender previously played at Utah State, Utah, Reedley College, and Air Force.
Reid finished his collegiate career at Florida Atlantic University in 2025, where he made 41 total tackles, one interception, and nine passes knockdowns over 12 games. The five-foot-ten, 187-pound defender had previous stints at UTEP and Grand Valley State.
Schellenberg went unselected in the recent 2026 CFL Draft. The five-foot-eleven, 200-pound native of Edmonton caught 26 passes for 397 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver while also contributing on special teams.
The Edmonton Elks recently selected Rutgers linebacker Dariel Djabome with their first-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, adding a key piece to pair with fellow Canadian linebacker Joel Dublanko. The team’s other major offseason additions include receiver Austin Mack, offensive lineman Coulter Woodmansey, and defensive lineman Malik Carney.
All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on May 10. Edmonton will play its first preseason game against the B.C. Lions on Saturday, May 23 and its first regular-season game against the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday, June 6.
In 2025, Edmonton finished fifth in the West Division standings with a 7-11 record, missing the playoffs for the fifth straight season.
