Rutgers University hosted its pro day on Wednesday, which included two prospective first-round picks in the 2026 CFL Draft: linebacker Dariel Djabome and defensive back Jett Elad.
Djabome measured in a little over six-foot-one and weighed 233 pounds. According to the school’s official results, he ran a 4.80-second forty-yard dash, 7.04-second three-cone, 4.23-second shuttle, leapt 32 inches in the vertical jump, 10 feet in the broad jump, and recorded 23 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
The native of Longueuil, Que. played 47 games over four seasons with the Scarlet Knights, making 192 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one pass knockdown.
Djabome served as a team captain in 2025, was named an All-Big Ten honourable mention by the media, and was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is awarded annually to the player with the best combination of academics, leadership, and on-field performance. He was also a finalist for the Jon Cornish Trophy in 2024, which is awarded annually to the top Canadian player in NCAA football.
The defender’s older brother, Rossini Sandjong-Djabome, was a seventh-round pick in the 2020 CFL Draft and played for the Edmonton Elks in 2021.
Djabome’s forty-yard dash would have ranked last among linebackers at the 2026 NFL Combine and near the middle of the pack among linebackers at the 2025 CFL Combine. While his time isn’t indicative of elite speed, it’s consistent with what many starting CFL middle linebackers have run in the past, including Nyles Morgan (4.76), Jovan Santos-Knox (4.81), Marquel Lee (4.78), and Geoffrey Cantin-Arku (4.85).
Djabome’s other testing numbers were almost all consistent with the linebackers at the 2026 NFL Combine with his three-cone and shuttle ranking better than most.
Elad did not participate in testing after undergoing surgery to repair a hernia injury in December, though scouts were told he’s not far from making a full recovery.
The native of Mississauga, Ont. started all 12 games for the Scarlet Knights in 2025, making 80 total tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, one pass knockdowns, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He was named a finalist for the Jon Cornish Trophy and an All-Big Ten honourable mention by the conference’s coaches.
The 24-year-old, who will turn 25 next month, started his collegiate career at Ohio University in 2019. Over three seasons with the Bobcats, he dressed for 12 games and made five starts at safety, recording 46 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, five pass knockdowns, and two interceptions.
Elad spent the 2022 season at Garden City Community College before a two-year stint at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He played 27 games and made 16 starts at safety with the Rebels, recording 141 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 12 pass knockdowns, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and one interception.
The six-foot, 201-pound defender was a finalist for the Jon Cornish Trophy in both seasons at UNLV and an All-Mountain West honourable mention in 2024.
Before Wednesday’s pro day, the consensus among CFL scouts was that Djabome and Elad would likely earn NFL minicamp invitations but may not sign contracts. Based on their pro day results — or lack thereof, in Elad’s case — their stock appears unchanged.
According to sources, seven CFL teams were present for the pro day at Rutgers, including the B.C. Lions, Calgary Stampeders, Edmonton Elks, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Ottawa Redblacks.
Djabome is currently the seventh-ranked prospect and the top-ranked linebacker in the 2026 CFL Draft, while Elad is the sixth-ranked prospect and the top-ranked defensive back.
The 2026 CFL Draft is set for Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
